The Internet….thereare so many great things about it.Without it, we would not be able to bring you our WNY Kids site, blog, Facebook page, etc.  It has revolutionized our world and our lives.  With every positive that we can list, we can also list some negatives with it.

 Being in the schools, I am hearing the buzz of kids talking about how they spent hours on Facebook and other social networking site.  I have overheard students talking about conversations that they had online that could have very well been constituted as “bullying”.  On the news we are hearing about teenagers that are committing suicide because of the threats and messages that they are receiving online and on their cell phones.  It is a really sad state of affairs.

 In addition, we are starting to hear about incidents of“sexting”.  Sexting is when oneparty takes pictures of themselves in provocative position on their cell phonesand sends it on to another person.  Many times, this is between a young boyfriend and girlfriend.  Then, weeks later when that couple breaks up, one party or the other sends that photo on to other who send it onto others…and you can imagine how fast it spreads.  The issue with this goes far beyond embarrassment and humiliation.  What these kids do not understand is that if they are underage, this act is considered child pornography.  Those in possession of these types of pictures and those who attempt to share or forward them, canbe held liable as distributors of child pornography.  Some have even been given the status of sex offender forthese acts.

 All good parents know that all children need to be supervised while on the Internet.  What you may not know is how responsible you as a parent are to what your child is putting on the Internet.  Did you know that children need to be 13 years of age to even have an account on Facebook?  Also, if they post something or create a page that is considered harassing to another individual,the parent is liable if the child is underage.   Also, if a child sends harassing texts or creates messages on a cell phone and posts them to the Internet, the parent that pays the cell phone bill is liable.

 As with anything, we need to educate our children on theproper ways to use the Internet.Our kids need to learn Internet etiquette and know that what they are putting on the Internet has lasting effects.  In this day and age, many colleges and potential employers are searching sites like Facebook, MySpace, and Google to find out information on potential candidates.

 So how can you monitor your child’s Internet use without completely restricting its use?Here are some tips:

1.Make sure that all computers are located in an area of the house where it is easily visible.  Prohibit use of computers in your child’s bedroom.  Monitor what sites your child is going on while they are on the computer.

2.Create a password to get onto the Internet thatonly you, the parent, know.  Thisway you have to sign your child on to use the Internet.

3.Talk to your child about the dangers of the Internet.  Discuss the dangers of talking to people that they do not know and the lasting effects of what is they put on the Internet.

4.Many computers come with parental controls.  Research them know what you can do to protect your child.

5.Limit your child’s time on the computer and on their cell phone.  Teach them how to communicate online, but also in person!!