Great ideas for internet safety in your faithful family

1. Place computers with internet access in a public place in the home

2. Know your child’s passwords

3. Remind the kids that private conversation is between them and a friend, not in a chat room online

4. Discuss what is appropriate and what is not with your child – you are the best internet safety program there is

5. Do your research, stay abreast of the new technologies that your children are interested in; have them teach it to you.

6. Make the rules (how much time online each day and for what purpose) and stick to them, you are the parent.

7. Place the Bible in a place as prominent as the computer  - online and hard copy!

8. You are the parent, be the blessing who prays with your children.

9. Make time to be together without technology, everyday.

10. Print this prayer and place on/near the computer: 

Dear Lord,
May this marvelous tool of communication be used for advancing love, peace, wonder and understanding in the world of your creation.  Amen.

Top Ten Reasons the computer and internet do not belong in the child’s bedroom:

1. You as parent must monitor the child’s usage of this powerful tool

2. You cannot monitor usage in a corner of the home you cannot see regularly

3. Monitoring means being present to the questions your child will have when online

4. Monitoring is not an invasion of a tween/teen’s privacy anymore than teaching them to drive the car and being with them while they drive is an invasion of privacy

5. Accessibility does not equal responsibility: just because your child can type on a key board does not mean they are prepared for solo interaction online anymore than drinking fluids means they are prepared for consuming whiskey

6. Helping your child to understand the commercial messages, news reports and at risk behavior online is one way of letting your child hear how you interpret the world – you are still the most important teacher

7. If you never know what they are doing online  - you will never know what they are doing online

8. Every conversation you do not have with your child about how to shape life in light of faith will be replaced by another influence

9. You would not invite hundred of strangers into your house without knowing the reason why  - encourage your child to avoid it online by your presence

10. You want to be there as they grow  - so be there for internet usage.