The Internet is a helpful communication tool, but it can be used in harmful ways. According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (2000), one in 17 youths have been threatened or harassed online. One in five youths reported receiving a sexual solicitation over the Internet, and one in 33 youths have received an email solicitation asking them to meet, telephone, or send something in the mail.

Parents are the first line of defense in talking to their children about safe Internet use. By placing the computer in a common room in your house, you can monitor your child while he or she is on the Internet.

It is important to set clear rules about your child’s computer and Internet usage. You and your children can sign a rules agreement. Posting the rules next to the computer allows everyone to review them.

The following questions can help you formulate your computer rules:

• How much time can my child spend online?
• What should they do if someone they meet online asks to meet with them in person?
• Which websites can my child visit, and which ones are off limits?
• Is my child allowed to purchase items online?
• Do I know my child’s password, and is it readily accessible?
• Is it okay for my child to have a web blog account (online diary, such as MySpace or Facebook)
• Is there any personal information listed on the blog that can identify my child such as name, age, gender, home address, school name or telephone number?
• Is my child’s blog account set on private?
• Who are the people on my child’s buddy list?
• If chatrooms are allowed, which ones are age-appropriate?

Whether our children communicate online or through text messages, they usually use “chat lingo” that you should be familiar with. Examples include: A/S/L (age, sex, location), LMIRL (let’s meet in real life) and POS (parents over shoulder). To learn more, go to www.netlingo.com and click on the “Top 50 Internet Acronyms that Parents Should Know.”

Since you can’t watch your child’s Internet use all of the time, monitoring software and filters can help. Contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP) about the monitoring software and filters they offer. You can also purchase your own monitoring software and install it. Some software examples include Cybersitter, Net Nanny, Web Watcher and Filter Pak. Filters can be used to screen illegal activity, graphic violence, hate groups, sexually explicit information and information about alcohol and other drugs. No software can block out every inappropriate website, so parents are still the best monitoring source.

Some children think that it’s okay to post any photograph and write anything online. Once your child’s photograph is posted online, it can be copied and pasted without their consent. An angry email can instantly be sent to someone they don’t like and shared with others. Cell phones can be used to spread rumors, text mean messages, or send inappropriate photos. These types of cyber bullying are illegal, harmful, and hurtful.

If your child tells you that they received a harassing email or inappropriate photograph, what can you do? First, don’t overreact. According to the Texas Attorney General’s Office, one of the reasons that children don’t tell their parents about this problem is because they don’t want to lose their computer or cell phone privileges. Praise your child for coming to you about this concern, and let him know that it is not his fault. Also, tell him that this behavior is harassment or bullying, and you want to help resolve this problem.

The Amarillo Police Department recommends archiving or saving the inappropriate content in a computer file. Set your child’s account to private so this person cannot reach them. If the photograph contains child pornography, do not print it. Contact the police department for assistance. They can look at the information and make a report, and contact your ISP to track down the source.

Being informed about Internet Safety benefits your children and you. To learn more, please plan to attend one of the five free Connect Safely on the Internet (CSI) programs this fall. The Amarillo Independent School District, Student Crimestoppers and Suddenlink Communications are CSI partners. The one-hour programs are offered at several Amarillo locations. Trained high school students talk to children ages 10 and under about Internet safety tips, read a book, sign a safety pledge and do coloring sheets. Parents and children ages 11 and older attend another session at the same time which is co-facilitated by two presenters. They define chat lingo, share helpful websites and safety tips, visit chatrooms online and discuss how child predators target children.

For more information, contact Teresa Kenedy at teresa.kenedy@amaisd.org.