Children and the Internet: surfing safely
The Internet, the network of connected networks worldwide, allows the greatest offer of communication and collection of human knowledge, through a computer, mobile phone or Tablet. Well used, contributes to the training Y entertainment of our children and adolescents.
It is essential, however, to invest time in providing our children with a good education about the good use of this valuable tool that is Internet, so that navigate safely.
How to get our children to use the Internet well
- Learn to use the computer and know the protection systems or filters available to prevent access to unsuitable sites (blocking software).
- Accompany the children in your online experience and satisfy your doubts and concerns, explaining the advantages and disadvantages of the Internet.
- It is advisable that they access the Internet with a concrete goal, avoiding its systematic use and distinguishing quality contents from less reliable ones.
- Teach them to distrust of everything related to "free", "prize", "gift".
- Share the email address with the children to monitor the messages.
- Monitor your participation in forums and social networks: Tuenti, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram.
- The best thing is that only chat with people you know. Even so, do not allow appointments with people you have met online, without your company and in public places. It is our duty Get to know our children's online friends.
- Do not accept material sent by strangers or files of dubious origin.
- Teach children to protect personal data: address, telephone, school, photos or videos. Have passwords difficult to find out and, of course, secret.
- Never allow them to make purchases without our supervision.
- Set schedules and duration of connections, which have to be respected.
- Do not allow them to use the computer early morning.
- The computer must be in common sites of the house, not in your room.
- Children must commit to tell parents any annoying situation in the network and also to behave civilly, including language. Threatening, insulting ... are totally unacceptable.
- Do not use the computer as an "electronic nanny", substituting other social and leisure activities and abandoning academic tasks.
- To value the excess of use of the Internet as a way of reacting to psychological distress in the adolescent, which makes him look outside for what he does not find in his environment.
Dr. Mª Rosario Benítez Rubio. Pediatrician Miraflores Health Center, Alcobendas (Madrid).
