Online Safety Rules
We are starting our Cross Canada Tour this week, and I'm looking forward to meeting all of you. Please check our itinerary to see when I'll be in your area.
During this last week, we had another young girl lured out to meet a "predator", after corresponding with him in a "chat room". Using familiar tactics, the predator developed a bond with the 13 year old girl by listening to all her problems, agreeing with all she said and offering all the solutions she wanted to hear. Then the suggestion "we should hook up" was made.
Fortunately, the girl's mother came home and saw her daughter being sexually assaulted in a vehicle parked just outside her home, police were called, fortunately the predator was picked up and charged. The ending to this real life story was positive but it could have been much worse.
On our home page, in the top left hand corner is a green button called My Rules For On-Line Safety, which you can read and print for FREE! When I wrote it, I gearing to kids aged 6 to 12, but after reading it again, I feel it's relevant for our teenagers as well. At the very least, it's a "opening" for you to have a discussion with your teen about internet safety. Talk with your teen/s; communication is what it is all about.
If you are at the point where you worried that something strange is going on with your child, I would like to direct you to the following sites:
The software these companies offer, will allow you to see EVERYTHING your child does or says on the computer. Some parents will feel this is a invasion of their child's privacy, and they are right. The other parents will feel "what ever it takes to keep my kids safe", and they are right as well. So do what feels right for you and your family.
Street Smart Kidz is not affiliated in any way to these companies, nor do we accept any funds from them. I just wanted you to know they are available.
Last but not least, remember, if your child is under 18, there isn't one legitimate reason for them to have a computer in their bedroom. We recommend that all children's computers be located in the family room or a high traffic area in your home.
Steven