Tips for Keeping Kids Safe While Online

(MS) -- When it comes to keeping their kids safe, most parents will do anything necessary. Whether it's setting up barriers near the staircase or making sure all of the cabinets are locked, parents have lots of tricks to keep kids out of trouble around the house.

One relatively new concern for parents is in their household, but not nearly as tangible as the bathroom cabinet or the chemicals underneath the kitchen sink. The Internet has essentially added a whole new slew of concerns for worried parents, indirectly inviting strangers into the home through the family computer. Fortunately, there are steps parents can take to ensure the problems the Internet can present don't find their way into the family's virtual home.

* Block social networking sites. While social networking sites may be appropriate for older kids, they're often unsafe for younger kids. Sites such as MySpace and Facebook allow users to post personal information, and younger kids often don't understand the potentially negative ramifications of sharing such information online. To ensure kids don't use these sites, simply block them. To be sure you're up to date, contact your local police department to see if newer networking sites have gained in popularity and block those sites as well.

* Keep computers in common areas. If kids have computers in their bedrooms, it's hard for parents to keep track of how much time they're spending online and what they're doing with that time. Keep computers in common areas as a means of keeping a more watchful eye on the kids' computer usage and also making sure they're not spending too much time online, which can be damaging to their eyesight.

* Speak with your kids. Kids are very trusting, and are therefore prime targets for online predators. Parents should speak with their kids to let them know that not everyone online is who they say they are. Even if you've blocked social networking sites, other avenues such as e-mail, chat rooms and instant messaging can leave kids susceptible to online predators. By making sure kids are aware of these people, they may be less likely to be fooled by them.

Keywords: social networking sites parents kids computer chat rooms virtual home facebook

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