Tips To Implement Family Internet Security

The Internet can help you and your family gain access to all types of information that is available in the World Wide Web. This is the main reason for the urgency in implementing Family Internet Security.

Read the latest news, look for some information, listen to music, play games, buy things, and send e-mail to friends are among the things that you and your family can do with Internet usage. There is an endless possibility of learning and exploring on the Internet but not all resources and information that they can get are safe and reliable.

Implementing family internet security is important to make sure that the family’s experience over the internet is educational, safe, and fun especially for kids. Internet Usage can be rewarding for your family but the potential risks to their privacy and personal safety are real.

While browsing the internet, your children may unintentionally see pornographic information or images, accidentally accept or share files that may expose you and your family to internet thieves, and even download malicious software that could damage, delete, and copy your data.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) there are age-based guidelines for children’s Internet use. Children with ages 10 and below need supervision and monitoring to ensure they are not exposed to inappropriate materials.

Children ages 11 to 14 are savvier about their internet experience but they still need supervision to ensure that they will not be exposed to inappropriate materials. Parents can also use internet safety tools to limit their access to web content and websites and to provide a report of their Internet activities. Children under this age should be made to understand what personal information should not be given over the Internet.

Children ages 15 to 18 may be well versed in Internet use but parents still need to define appropriate safety guidelines. Parents should always be available to provide guidance to teenagers while using the Internet.

To maintain Internet security for the family, always bear in mind the following:

1. Information online is usually not private so be wary when revealing your true identity

2. Anybody can place any information online but it does not necessary mean that such information is reliable and true so do not trust everything that you read online
3. It is always possible to find materials that are offensive, pornographic, obscene, violent, or racist unexpectedly and unintentionally while browsing the internet.

4. Parents should be responsible in instilling the following basic safety rules to their children.

  • First, children should talk with their parents and get to know the family rules in using the Internet
  • Second, children should learn not to give out personal information such as home address, telephone number, credit card number and other vital information without parent’s permission.
  • Third, children should immediately tell their parents when they see or receive anything over the Internet that makes them feel uncomfortable or threatened.
  • Fourth, children should be warned not to meet anyone they meet online without their parent’s permission and supervision.
  • Fifth, Internet password is private and should never be given to anyone.
  • Last, never download, install, or copy anything from the Internet without permission from adults.

There are no hard and fast rules in using the Internet but every family should make sure they exert the diligent care necessary to keep their lives as safe as possible.

Internet Usage