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Learn about The Online Mom Network
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How Do I Become An Online Mom?
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The Online Mom provides internet technology advice and information to help parents protect their kids, encourage responsible behavior and safely harness the power of technology in the new digital world. Social networking, photo sharing, video games, IM & texting, internet security, cyberbullying, educational resources, the latest on tech hardware, gadgets and software for kids 3-8, tweens and teens, and more.
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Illegal Activity
 The Internet makes everything more accessible - legal and otherwise. If you're
determined enough, you can use the Internet to find everything from illegal
drugs to
stolen credit card numbers to step-by-step bomb-making instructions. (Not to
mention all
sorts of lawful "free speech" content you don't want your
child involved with, from Nazi
hate speech to instructions for becoming a better anorexic!)
Unauthorized prescription drugs, in particular, have become a major problem
recently (as
you've probably noticed when sorting through all the junk email you receive).
According
to the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA), the number of Internet sites offering Schedules II through V controlled prescription drugs
increased by
70%; many of these sites require no prescription at all, or will accept easily-faked fax prescriptions.
Again, your best defense against illegal behavior on the Internet starts with
candid
discussions and an open relationship with your child. Yes, we know that's
sometimes
easier said than done!
Know where your child is going on the Internet. (As we've said elsewhere,
it helps to
keep the family computer in a "public" spot, and look over your
child's shoulder once in
awhile, whether they like it or not.) And, of course, establish the upfront
rule that the
Internet is never to be used for illegal or dangerous purposes that could put
the entire
family at risk.
When communication isn't enough...
When open communication is not enough, we suggest these steps:
- Always read your credit card bill carefully before you pay it, identify any charges you may not recognize.
- If your child receives packages, make sure you know what's in them, and
how they were paid for.
- Consider the use of filtering software. For example, Net
Nanny lets you
prevent your child from accessing sites in nine main categories, including
Drugs/Alcohol, Hate/Violence, and Illegal Activities. Net Nanny is flexible
enough to complement your parenting style. For example, you can give your
teenagers an override password: Net Nanny will then allow them to visit a site
it has blocked, but will record that site and notify you. Or you can let
NetNanny work quietly, simply displaying an error message whenever your
child tries to access a site that's off-limits. Software's no substitute
for adult
supervision and trust, but it may be able to complement your other best efforts
as a parent.
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