Top Ten Signs Your Child is in Danger Online
Bullies, sexual predators and more. The list of things parents fear online keeps growing an yet our kids access to technology also keeps getting better. What is a parent to do?
I received this list of top ten signs your child is in danger online from a computer monitoring service called Web Watcher. I am not the biggest fan of monitoring your kids online unless it is a last resort. I think open communication is a much better way to build trust and teach independence and responsibility. Safe surfing is a big issue for most families and no matter how you monitor your kids online behaviour it is important to know the signs if something untoward is going on.
- Suddenly spending an increasing amount of time around the computer, especially at night
- Seeming secretive around the computer and cleaning out the history folder all too frequently
- Quickly exiting a web page when someone else walks into the room
- Asks for meaning of cultural references much older than they are
- Emotionally distant or losing interest in friends or other activities they used to enjoy
- Is apprehensive when friends are brought up
- Has multiple email addresses and IM screen names
- You receive phone calls for your child from people you don’t know
- Drastic increases in text message bills due to activity with unknown phone numbers
- Unknown charges to your credit card from websites that your child may be registered with
Looking for some ideas on how to create a Family Media Agreement? Check my post on Safe Surfing for more resources.
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