Looking for Moms to Help Me Out with a Project!

Hi, I just saw your posting and thought I'd say something. I'm 26 and probably one of the most paranoid parents you'll ever meet. I have 2 kids (g-6, b-4) and both love to be on the computer (mainly b/c on their desktop I have shortcuts to educational and fun sites that they may go into). I monitor everything they see. I constantly talk to my kids about what is safe, who are the people they can trust, what to do in case of an emergency and about the people who are not always what they seem to be. I just can't stand the idea of child pedifiers. I am also 1 of those parents who are against little girls wearing a 2 piece bathing suit (you never know who is out there ready to harm a child), playing w/baby dolls that require diaper changing or say mama (as these dolls prepare little girls how to become mothers at an early age -at least that is my opinion) other than that my kids have tons of toys, are educated and I can only hope to keep them away from all the dangers. Getting back to your internet concern I do allow my kids to be on the computer but that is also b/c the computer is not far from where I can supervise them. I'm sure as they get older things will change but for now having these shortcuts to sites they are allowed into seems to work out fine. My kids know they are not allowed to visit regular internet and it doesn't seem to bother them.

Hi E.. I'm a 30 yr old mother of 2 boys and a baby on the way. Zack my oldest is very smart, he can read, type, spell..etc. And likes to play games on the computer.
I do allow him access to the computer he's known how to use one since he was 2 yrs of age.
Now that he's older though and can easily get into sites where he clearly should not be. I have restricted his use. He is only allowed sites that I approve ie; Cartoon Network, Disney, Noggin..etc. Childrens sites that are appropriate for him. I have these sites saved into his favorites. He is never on the computer without my supervision as well.
I feel it's okay as long as parents are supervising what their children are doing while on the net.

A.

If you keep an eye out for them, local libraries and school districts offer seminars and talks on Internet safety for kids. They probably have recommendations on filters that allow you to block sites, but by the time your daughter is old enough I'm sure those will change.

I like the advice to keep any Internet-connected computers in the family room or other public space of the house - it will be harder when they are teens, though. It is important to be aware, not just for your child's safety but for your liability.

My kids are too young to do any surfing on their own, but we use the computer kind of like how my parents used the encyclopedia - to look up pictures/information for things they have questions about, to display maps, and so on. And for pbskids.org and other game sites. From watching the older kids in the computer lab at school (as a parent volunteer) I would say your best bet is to keep them busy by compiling a list of favorites of some of the many, many wonderful sites for kids and don't just have them start at Google searching for things.

E.,

My son is only 21 months, but my hubby and I have already talked about this issue more than once. He is in Network Security and I'm a computer geek myself. I agree 100% with what Kristy said. The internet is a powerful tool and our kids (even more so than us) will be exposed to it. I have absolutely no problem what-so-ever installing software that will track every keystroke on the family computer if I have to. But, I also have no problem saying that IF I suspect anything or if our sons break our trust that I WILL go through their room, school bags and homework papers. I absolutely refuse to be those parents who turn their head and swear that "my boy would never do that." Or, even worse, the parent who can't tell the police anything about their kids. (Hey, I watch CSI and Without a Trace! Lol.)

We can't protect our kids from everything and I know that, but as parents I believe that we have a responsibility to make their home a safe and secure place. And that includes monitoring what they watch on TV, movies they see and the internet. I also believe that education is the best defense for keeping our kids out of trouble. Whether it's about the internet, smoking/drinking/drugs, sex...whatever.

T.

Hi E.,

I have a 2 year old little girl so I'm not quite yet faced with having to worry about this issue but I have already done quite a bit of thinking on it. I am a network administrator for a law firm downtown (your typical computer geek) and I have a TON of experience with the internet. I think it's just like anything else. Your children WILL be exposed to the internet in one way or another. And you will NOT always have control over what your children are seeing. The minute they leave your home and go to a friends house and start doing some internet surfing they will inevitably stumble across or seek out questionable sites. As a parent it's our responsibility to teach our children about internet safety just as we do about crossing the street and talking to strangers. I can tell you that I find absolutely nothing wrong with implementing "monitoring" software on the family PC, as well as keeping them out of their rooms and in a centrally located place in the house. Frankly I'm sick of the parents who want to give their kids "privacy" or are too "busy" or "uninformed" to monitor the activities of their children. They are children and need to be monitored and need to be guided. Those are the roles of being a parent. I think your making the first important step to become informed and to put a plan in place before it becomes an issue. Just like any other thing your children will experience the internet must be approached with frank discussion, rules and parental monitoring and guidance.

Just my two cents! Good luck!

I let my 15yr old have internet in his room. My 5yr old plays on it a well. We don't like the kids on our computer. This was a thought out discussion. I'm not a mom that doesn't realize what's going on. I've always called him my little old man because he's always done the right things. If grounded from electric games even at friends and relative houses he's always listened. Plus he's not fond of the computer. This may not be the case with our other three. We've decided each kid needs to prove responsible before getting extra priveleges. This doesn't mean we don't check up on him, but since he has nothing to hide he doesn't care. I realize sometimes its hard to judge your own kid because you want to think the best of them. My family(4 siblings)is very honest with each other and would speak up if they saw me doing anything wrong and I'd listen because I know they'd be doing it for him. Hope this helps.