Online Safety

Safety is a major concern for parents. The internet has broadened the reasons for that concern. In the last several years new words have been added to our vocabulary. Some are: CYBER-BULLY, CYBER-TERRORIST, CYBER-STALKER, ONLINE-PREDATOR.

Not only are these dangers a worry but there are others as well. With a computer and an internet connection the unwanted influences of the world can enter your home even if you are right there. Anyone can tell or sell your children anything. There is no one to check an i.d. before they see pornography. Children are even buying medications over the internet with their parents credit cards. The lies and persuasions of false religions are a mouse click away. The list goes on.

Not my child

Every parent wants to believe "Not my child.". I've said it myself. There is a problem in that. The problem is the origin of these dangers. Yes people are the perpetrators but Satan is the author. We know that evil is his influence. Anyone can be susceptible to it. Look at some of the great men in the bible. David, one called the apple of Gods eye, gave into that influence. He wanted Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah. David had Uriah put into a place in battle where he knew Uriah would be killed. My point is this. Evil is evil and we can not sugar coat it or ignore it. If someone like David could give into it so can you children and so can mine. So can we. Every crime must have a perpetrator. Every perpetrator was or is someone's child. So it seems that I have made another point. Not only must we protect our children from the dangers on the web. We must keep them and ourselves from coming a part of it.

How to stay safe

First and foremost. Talk to your kids. Explain the dangers to them. Set rules and let them know your expectations. Once rules are set stick to them and be consistent. Make sure they know, if they have their own computer, that it can and will be boxed up and put away. Of course you must set the example. No do as I say not as I do attitude. Raising a Christian child means being a Christian parent.

There is software called Parental controls or filters to help keep pornography and foul language off the computer. Some operating systems come with a version of Parental control. Many can be set to block websites of your choosing. The software is not perfect as far as blocking porn and language but some are pretty good. In fact you may find things blocked when you don't want them to be. For instance you may be looking up something such as screws for your new deck or even researching donkeys. Pages with the words ass or screw may be blocked with the filter turned on. Also kids have found out how to disable many filters. Some software shows you how to keep the filters hidden and require a password to override it. Some even come with a service or ability to spy on the computer. They can take snapshots of what is on the screen and can make logs of what is typed or received.

Become the protector

Parental controls and such software can be helpful tools. The best tool is you. Limit your child's internet use. Be nosy. Some families have even left the trend of multiple computers. They have placed a single family computer in a room without the privacy one would want when looking at things they shouldn't. Kids and adults alike love to chat on the internet. Not everyone chatting with them is saying what you would want to hear.

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