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Learn about The Online Mom Network
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Join The Online Mom Network
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How Do I Become An Online Mom?
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The Online Mom provides internet technology advice and information to help parents protect their kids, encourage responsible behavior and safely harness the power of technology in the new digital world. Social networking, photo sharing, video games, IM & texting, internet security, cyberbullying, educational resources, the latest on tech hardware, gadgets and software for kids 3-8, tweens and teens, and more.
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Tips for Parents
The steps that parents should take to ensure that their children are safe and act responsibly
in today's digital world will vary dramatically on how old their children are and how much
influence technology has on their particular child. However, there are some basic things
that parents can do whatever the age of their child. Here are some tips to get started:
- Get In The Game! Make an effort to understand the basics of the technology that your child
is (or will be) using on a daily basis. Technology is such a big part of their lives, no parent
can afford to just step away from their responsibilities in this area. You may be doing a
fantastic parenting job in all other aspects of your child's life but without understanding at
least the basics, you cannot be part of their ever-expanding digital world. It's not difficult
to grasp some fundamentals and get up-to-speed. Plus, it's fun and educational - that's why your
kids love it so much!
- Open a dialogue. Talk to your kids about technology and in particular about Internet safety.
Agree on a set of rules for using the computer and going on the Internet. Surf the web together.
Stay involved, your child's tech and online activity will increase and become more complex as
they get older and technology continues to evolve. Keep the conversation going.
- Be informed. Know what technology your child uses, what games they play, which web sites
they visit, and with whom they are communicating. For young children, give them an approved
list of web sites.
- Be interested. Ask your child what they are doing, what programs they are using, what
sites they are visiting. Ask them to show you how their tech toys work and what they and
their friends do with them.
- Help your child understand what inappropriate behavior is. If you or you child encounter inappropriate behavior, whether it's violent video games,
cyber-bullying, or online predators, don't just let it go. Act on it, whether it's talking
to your child, bringing the subject up with another child's parents or reporting it the
appropriate authorities.
- Buy a family computer and keep it in a public place in the home. Encourage your children
to regard it as a resource for everyone to use. Give each of them separate IDs and passwords,
so they have a sense of ownership and privacy.
- Never give out personal information over the Internet. Explain to a child that he or she must never give out personal information over the Internet.
Family e-mail addresses, phone numbers, names, birth dates, home addresses, family details,
photos, etc. should all be jealously guarded. Although social networking sites ask for and
encourage sharing this information, your child should know that protecting their own and their
family's identity should be one of their top priorities.
- Empower yourself. Use Internet filtering or monitoring software. You don't have to check in
on what your child is doing every day but the fact that you can, and they know you can, helps set
the right tone for responsible behavior.
- Teach your children not to open unknown or suspicious files. Help your child understand what
a suspicious file looks like.
- Talk to other parents about your children's technology experiences and online safety.
Form a network of other concerned parents. Join The Online Mom Network!
Rules for the Internet
An open and honest dialogue about online activities goes a long way in keeping kids safe.
Starting children out with a clear set of rules and guidelines will help them stay on track
and provides them with a solid foundation of online responsibility as they get older and
their Internet experience expands. Here are some sample rules for elementary and middle
school children. Type them up together and keep them nearby.
- My parents and I will decide together when and for how long I am allowed on the Internet
- I will not give out personal information (last name, address, telephone number,
parents' names, school, etc.) to anyone I meet online.
- I will not meet anyone in person that I met online without my parents permission.
- If anyone says or does anything online that makes me uncomfortable or upsets me,
I will tell my parents.
- I will not buy anything online without first getting permission.
- I will ask permission before downloading games, movies, music or programs.
- I give my parents permission to see what I do on the Internet. If they ask for my
password, I will give it to them.
- If my parents have installed monitoring software, I will not disable or tamper with it.
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