Internet Safety
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution recently published this Q&A with internet safety expert Parry Aftab. To me, the most telling quote in this interview is in the first sentence: “I am the parent.”
In the interview, Parry talks about the most valuable thing a parent can do for their child-maintaining communication. She also stresses our responsibilities as parents. These things have long been two of my favorite subjects to talk about when it comes to parenting.
Parry takes the approach that simply banning teens from the internet is not the answer. Rather, parents should take the responsbility to keep up with how their teenagers are using the internet and with what they are posting. My personal opinion is that banning a teen from the internet is like telling him/her that they can’t date a certain person. It will almost certainly backfire on you. It will make the internet seem much more attractive than it is already.
Additionally, the internet has permeated our society. The internet is, to teens today, what the telephone was to our generation. It is their way of staying in touch, and keeping up with what their friends are doing, in addition to being necessary to doing their homework, how they listen to music and play games, and a myriad of other activities. Banning is the wrong approach.
Although our teens may seem to need us less than they did when they were younger, the opposite may be true. So, rather than feeling that your responsibilities as a parent lessen as your child moves into the teenage years, take the opposite approach. It’s simply that they don’t need you to fix snacks, get drinks and a lot of the simpler things you used to do for them.
They’re now moving into a higher tech age-computers, video games, etc.,-and, like it or not, you have to move with them. So, if you don’t know how to do these things, don’t just throw up your hands. Start researching. Learn how your kids are using their computers. Find information about the video games they’re playing. The sources are out there.
They may be teens now, but they’re still your kids-and they need you as much as ever-just in different ways.
internet, internet safety, teens, teenagers, computer safety, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
November 2nd, 2006 at 9:39 pm
I admit to being completely shocked at the content of my husband’s cousins MySpace pages. Teenagers put just about any and all information out there if they aren’t monitored.
My cousin a few months ago made his last name and complete address available on MySpace. It’s since made private after a LONG discussion with mom and dad about internet safety…but, my goodness!
November 2nd, 2006 at 10:22 pm
And there’s a lot of the danger-not that teens are using MySpace, but what they’re putting on it. I had a long talk with my daughter, when she first started going to sites like MySpace and Xanga. I told her I had no problem with her using them, but no last names, no addresses, no phone numbers!
April 5th, 2007 at 3:01 am
Excuse, and what you think concerning forthcoming elections?
April 9th, 2007 at 4:48 am
cool blog!
April 18th, 2007 at 2:11 am
nice photos of this blog
April 28th, 2007 at 5:31 am
Peace people
We love you