A better approach toward keeping your kids safe is to provide rules and ongoing supervision to make sure their computer usage is healthy and appropriate. Here are some guidelines:

Place the computer in a central area of your home. Good locations are the living room or family room -- a place where there are people around.

Don’t put the computer in your child’s room, where he or she can close the door and cybersurf unseen and unsupervised. In the majority of cases in which children have been victimized or involved in computer crime, the computer has been located in the child’s room.

Warn your kids about the dangers of cyberspace. Just as you talk to them about dangers in the “real world” related to sex, drugs, talking to strangers and getting involved with the wrong crowd, it’s important to remind them frequently that the same dangers exist in cyber-space, and the same precautions apply.

Establish rules for safe computer usage. You can maximize your children’s safety on the Information Super Highway by setting the following rules:

• Be cautious about all interactions in chat rooms and on BBS systems, no matter how nice and friendly the person seems. People aren’t always who they say they are -- adults may be posing as kids, for example -- and you can’t tell whether you’re communicating with a perfectly safe person or a criminal.
• Never give out personal information -- your real name, home address, telephone number, school name, credit card numbers, financial information, etc. -- to anyone you meet through a bulletin board or chat room.
  Also, don’t provide personal information on Member Profiles, because all online users have access to that information. It’s OK to fill in your “handle” (your computer nickname) and information about your hobbies and interests, but always leave the personal details blank. They could give a criminal the opportunity to victimize you or your family.
• Never access sexually explicit materials or download them onto your computer. These materials are off-limits, just like using drugs or reading pornographic magazines.
• Don’t respond to any correspondence that is suggestive, abusive or threatening, and never set up face-to-face meetings with anyone you meet on the Information Super Highway unless you have your parents’ approval. (If they think a meeting is OK, have them accompany you to it.)

Involve yourself in your children’s computer activities. Don’t use the computer as a babysitter. Instead, spend time with your children exploring the Information Super Highway, talking to them about what they like best, playing games with them, and having them coach you on accessing services. When your children are using the modem, ask what they’re looking for and finding. Know where they’re going on the Information Super Highway, and
take the trip with them.

Utilize “blocking” safeguards if necessary. Negative publicity about children being victimized -- or getting involved in criminal activities -- online has spurred the online and software industries to offer parents more control over their kids’ computer usage.

A variety of online and software “blocks” are now available that enable you to monitor or limit your children’s access to the Information Super Highway and the amount of time spent online per day, as well as to restrict usage to certain times of the day.

Blocks are especially useful when both parents work and children are unsupervised for part of the day. If you feel you need blocking safeguards, ask your online service which blocks they provide and/or check into blocking software.

In addition to blocks, a rating system for online materials -- similar to that used for movies -- may be available soon.

Keep watch for signs of trouble. Signals may include:

• Overuse of the computer, or obsessive use of fantasy adventure games such as Dungeons and Dragons, or Trade Wars. Indicators of overuse might be withdrawal from family, friends and social activities; sudden lack of interest in grooming and hygiene, sleeping and eating; or an uncharacteristic drop in school grades or attendance.
• Involvement with undesirable online materials or users. You may notice that your child is suddenly using vocabulary laced with computer, satanic or sexual terms, or is interested in posters or music that is related to hard rock, or is satanic in nature.
  Check communications programs that have names that seem related to pornographic or satanic topics. Also, look for computer files ending in GIF, JPG, BMP, TIF, PCX, DL, GL, FLI, MPG, AVI and MOV. These endings indicate image files that could be pornographic.
• Participation in computer crime. Beware of an unattended computer that has a screen showing a series of changing numbers; your child may be running a hacking program to search for long-distance access numbers or calling card “pin” numbers. A screen showing a series of 16-digit numbers may indicate a program that’s trying to validate credit card numbers.

Also watch for any doodling or writing using words such as hacking, phreaking or any other words with “ph” replacing “f.” This could be a sign that your child has become involved in the hacking culture.

Monitor the use of your telephone and modem. Watch for unexplained calls on your long-distance bill and note the times and numbers your child is dialing on the modem. Contact the police if you are uncertain what kind of services your child is accessing.

Notify your online service’s system operator of any electronic harassment or abuse. If you don’t feel the problem is handled adequately, call the police.

Alert the police immediately if any adults try to set up meetings with your children. This is a very serious and dangerous situation.

Your Involvement Is Crucial

With a little time and effort on your part, you can allow your children to enjoy all the wonderful aspects of the Information Super Highway, and ensure that they’re safe from the dangerous elements.

What’s more, online computing will become an educational and fun adventure that your entire family can enjoy together.