Thirty years ago, computer use was considered to be a luxury by most Americans. Today, 55 million children use a computer to use the Internet on a weekly basis. The computer Internet service has provided many of our schools and homes with a great tool to help our students improve their academic performance. The World Wide Web provides our children with instant access to information regarding current news events, historical facts, mathematical solutions, foreign language resources, spelling and grammar help and hundreds of other academic information all just a click away!What about the Internet dangers that includes cyberbullies, online predators and sexually explicit materials? The Parent Coach Plan provides parents with Behavior Contract for Teens or Behavior Contracts for Youth that will help you and your child come up with a safety agreement while surfing the Internet.
Positive Child Internet Use
The Internet has not only provided business, research, communication and networking by adults around the world, it has allowed our children to improve that academic performance at an astounding rate. The following are just some of the advantages that the Internet provides our children:
- Information & Fact Finding
- Research
- Reading
- Problem-solving
- Communication
- Arts and Design
- Study Skills
- Networking
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking Skills
Online Internet Dangers: Put Your Child on an Internet Contract
According to one national survey done by the NAC, 93% of parents report that they are aware of where and how their children use the Internet. Yet only 62% of middle school students and 42 of high school students stated that they tell their parents where and what they do on the Internet. The following are the most common concerns that parents need to become aware of when they allow their child to use the Internet.
Child development experts recommend placing children using the internet on a plan or internet use contract. The contract should include some or all of the safety tips recommented by the U.S. government:
There are some very important things that you need to keep in mind when you allow your child to use the computer at home or at school. The following tips should be written into an internet safety contract or behavior plans.
* First, remember never to give out personal information such as your name, home address, school name, or telephone number in a chat room or on bulletin boards. Also, never send a picture of yourself to someone you chat with on the computer without your parent's permission.
* Never write to someone who has made you feel uncomfortable or scared.
* Do not meet someone or have them visit you without the permission of your parents.
* Tell your parents right away if you read anything on the Internet that makes you feel uncomfortable.
* Remember that people online may not be who they say they are. Someone who says that "she" is a "12-year-old girl" could really be an older man.
