Raising the Internet Savvy Parent

Raising the Internet Savvy Parent

While I was visiting my future in-laws over Thanksgiving I witnessed something most unusual. Someone opened a drawer and found some printouts from a Simpsons character creating website. Just as you may have suspected, it was the 3-year old cousin. He demonstrated for us how he got to the site. He clicked on several favorites until he found a specific site. Then he followed a confusing path of what appeared to be random pictures. Eventually, however, he ended up at the Simpons site. A fluke. They asked him to do it again, and sure enough a few moments later, the Simpsons site again came up. Fortunately he has good parents who I am sure will monitor his Internet usage.

If parents expect to be able to be a part of their children's lives, they need to learn how to use the Internet. Kids can cultivate and create friendships, play games, create artistic masterpieces, and buy anything they can think of without leaving home. Or worse, they can fall prey to predators or succumb to devastating addictions like gambling or pornography. This is the first step to raising Internet savvy parents, an understanding of what is out there.

Next, there needs to be open and honest communication between parent and child. Children should always feel comfortable telling their parents about anything disconcerting they see on the Internet. Scolding or punishing a child for accidentally bringing up an inappropriate web page would not likely create this environment.

Lastly, parents and kids need to understand that the Internet does not provide privacy. They should go in with the expectation that everything they do online may be public knowledge. Parents should monitor their children's Internet usage, so they can help them with any problems before they become addictions. While filters and browser histories can be effective, it will not take a child long (especially one who starts browsing the web at age 3) to figure out how to defeat them. Perhaps the best way to monitor Internet usage is to put the computer in a very public place. Have two computers in the front of the house if the kids argue over the computer for homework time. Children should expect that their parents will know everything that they do online.

The world with all of its inspiring works of humanity and its sleezy filth are in your home, at your children's fingertips. Helping children say “no” to online dangers should be taught nearly as emphatically as saying “no” drugs or alcohol, because the results may be just as devastating. The first step will be trying to keep up with your 3 year old.

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