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This article is from Today's
Native Father, issue #125, January/February, 2003. Related articles from this issue: |
Create a Family Internet Agreement |
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A growing body of research suggests that excessive Internet use carries some of the same risks as gambling: It can lead to social isolation, depression and failure at work or school” (Barbara Jamison in CNN.com.health, June 13, 2000). “Canadian youth are extremely active Internet users. Parents say they know where their kids are going online; kids say parents don’t know. Parents say they often talk to kids about their Internet use; kids say they don’t. Most youth have their own e-mail accounts, but many parents are unaware that they do. Kids say Internet’s biggest benefit is socializing and communicating, while parents believe the Internet’s biggest benefit is educational.” (Child and Family Canada, “Young Canadians in a Wired World,” a study by the Media Awareness Network, June and October, 2001.) Faced with evidence such as this, Child and Family Canada recommends that parents and children together draft a Family Internet Agreement that offers the children very clear guidelines on the following:
The guidelines may vary according to the age and experience of the children. For example, guidelines for seven- to nine-year-olds could include the following provisions: Either Mom or Dad has to be with us when we go on the Internet. We will use only Berit’s Best Sites for Children or Yahooligans to find Web sites. When searching for information online, we will use these filtered search engines: Ask Jeeves for Kids or KidsClick! We will not give out any personal information online without Mom or Dad’s permission. Only Mom or Dad can download our e-mail. They will tell us if we have any new mail in the family mailbox. We are allowed to use only monitored chat rooms, and Mom or Dad must be with us when we’re chatting. We will never be mean or rude to anyone online. We will check with Mom or Dad before downloading software, games or music from the Internet. We are allowed on the Web for one hour on school nights, only after we’ve done our homework and cleaned up the supper table. A teenager may be given more freedom and privileges. However, it is still good to place strict limits on opening e-mail from strangers or interacting with them in chat rooms or instant messaging; on downloading games, music files or soft-ware; and on buying or selling over the Internet. As well, parents may want to install web filtering software such as Net Nanny or Websense. As with any disciplinary agreement, there must be penalties or consequences if the agreement is violated. The agreement should be reviewed regularly and updated as your children grow older. As well, the parents’ behaviour on the Internet should set a good example for children. The complete document, “Creating a Family Internet Agreement,” may be read at http://www.cfc-efc.ca/socs/mnet/00003_en.htm. The use of product names by Today’s Native Father does not constitute an endorsement of these products. Readers should evaluate all products before using them with children. |
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