Keep Your Kids Safe
Stranger Danger
Please share if you find this useful
If you asked 10 parents what their ‘biggest concern’ is, in terms of their children and cell phones; 9 out of 10 would answer: “I have no control over WHO my child talks to, sends messages to and meets on chat sites accessed by cell phones.” While this is a very real concern, the rules regarding ‘online safety’ are very similar to those you would apply in the ‘real world’.
Most young people are aware of the dangers involved and the RULES to be adhered to when dealing with ‘strangers’ in the ‘real world’. They know what situations to avoid, what persons to avoid, and WHEN to ask for assistance. They are taught from a young age that the world is not always a safe and pleasant place, and it should be NO different when educating children in the ‘basic safety rules’ of the ‘online world’.
If parents provide their children with the necessary ‘online’ safety guidance - in the same way they provide their kids with ‘real life’ safety guidance, the cell phone will be no more dangerous than what a trip to a shopping centre is.
The major difference between ‘real life’ danger and ‘cell phone’ danger is: Real life dangers can be SEEN, FELT, SMELT and TOUCHED – your senses assist you in evaluating the danger, because it is REAL and tangible. When ‘online’, you don’t have this luxury, and children have to be encouraged to use their instinct when evaluating ‘online danger’.
SAFETY GUIDELINES:
1. In the ‘real world’ people are usually who they ‘say they are’, as it is almost impossible to alter appearance, gender, language, age, race, build etc. The cyber world is a different story; a person can be whoever and whatever they want to be. Children must be aware of this: “If it LOOKS and SOUNDS too good to be true – it probably ISN’T true.”
2. Just because your child does not spend time in chatrooms, does NOT mean that he/she won’t be exposed to any unsavoury characters. Do you know who your child’s ‘real world’ friends are chatting to online? What if your child’s best friend is chatting to a ‘threat’ and your child is also ‘introduced’ to this 3rd party via an invite to chat on a social networking site? Teach your child to ignore and refuse ANY online friend requests and invites to chat from persons your child has not met in the real world. (Even if your child’s friend vouches for the 3rd party – your child should still refuse any contact with this person)
3. Your child should never give his/her cell phone number to anyone that has not been ‘approved’ by you, as a parent. Your child’s friends must also be warned NOT to give out your child’s number to 3rd parties.
4. Chat to the parents of your child’s friends – ENSURE that they are giving the same online safety guidance as what YOU are. It is vital that your child’s group of friends are AS aware of possible online dangers and threats as what your child is – as in many instances, it is friends who facilitate the introduction of ‘unsavoury’ persons.
5. Find out what social networking sites your child’s friends are using (and are being allowed to use). You might be blocking certain sites from your child’s cell phone – but his/her friends might be accessing these sites with their parents consent – which technically means, your child is accessing them as well.
6. Stay informed. Your child will only be aware of the possible dangers and threats associated with ‘cell phone use’ if YOU are aware.
**********************************
In the long term, EDUCATING your child (and yourself) is the ONLY viable way to combat the growing fears and concerns regarding cell phone use amongst young people. Banning the cell phone outright is NOT an option – it will only encourage your child to find out what he/she is missing AND your child will be left without a device which could save his/her life.
Rather focus on instilling a culture of SAFE cell phone use amongst your child and his/her friends.
Most young people are aware of the dangers involved and the RULES to be adhered to when dealing with ‘strangers’ in the ‘real world’. They know what situations to avoid, what persons to avoid, and WHEN to ask for assistance. They are taught from a young age that the world is not always a safe and pleasant place, and it should be NO different when educating children in the ‘basic safety rules’ of the ‘online world’.
If parents provide their children with the necessary ‘online’ safety guidance - in the same way they provide their kids with ‘real life’ safety guidance, the cell phone will be no more dangerous than what a trip to a shopping centre is.
The major difference between ‘real life’ danger and ‘cell phone’ danger is: Real life dangers can be SEEN, FELT, SMELT and TOUCHED – your senses assist you in evaluating the danger, because it is REAL and tangible. When ‘online’, you don’t have this luxury, and children have to be encouraged to use their instinct when evaluating ‘online danger’.
SAFETY GUIDELINES:
1. In the ‘real world’ people are usually who they ‘say they are’, as it is almost impossible to alter appearance, gender, language, age, race, build etc. The cyber world is a different story; a person can be whoever and whatever they want to be. Children must be aware of this: “If it LOOKS and SOUNDS too good to be true – it probably ISN’T true.”
2. Just because your child does not spend time in chatrooms, does NOT mean that he/she won’t be exposed to any unsavoury characters. Do you know who your child’s ‘real world’ friends are chatting to online? What if your child’s best friend is chatting to a ‘threat’ and your child is also ‘introduced’ to this 3rd party via an invite to chat on a social networking site? Teach your child to ignore and refuse ANY online friend requests and invites to chat from persons your child has not met in the real world. (Even if your child’s friend vouches for the 3rd party – your child should still refuse any contact with this person)
3. Your child should never give his/her cell phone number to anyone that has not been ‘approved’ by you, as a parent. Your child’s friends must also be warned NOT to give out your child’s number to 3rd parties.
4. Chat to the parents of your child’s friends – ENSURE that they are giving the same online safety guidance as what YOU are. It is vital that your child’s group of friends are AS aware of possible online dangers and threats as what your child is – as in many instances, it is friends who facilitate the introduction of ‘unsavoury’ persons.
5. Find out what social networking sites your child’s friends are using (and are being allowed to use). You might be blocking certain sites from your child’s cell phone – but his/her friends might be accessing these sites with their parents consent – which technically means, your child is accessing them as well.
6. Stay informed. Your child will only be aware of the possible dangers and threats associated with ‘cell phone use’ if YOU are aware.
**********************************
In the long term, EDUCATING your child (and yourself) is the ONLY viable way to combat the growing fears and concerns regarding cell phone use amongst young people. Banning the cell phone outright is NOT an option – it will only encourage your child to find out what he/she is missing AND your child will be left without a device which could save his/her life.
Rather focus on instilling a culture of SAFE cell phone use amongst your child and his/her friends.