| It is interesting to note that there is something | | | | bunch of curious and excitement seeking individuals |
| amazingly unique about today's children. Young | | | | and though they may appear to use the internet for |
| children nowadays are growing up in an environment | | | | their school projects, you cannot prevent them from |
| where internet use is the rule, not the exception. | | | | communicating with their friends and even making |
| How young is too young to allow your child to use | | | | new ones online. All teenagers are exposed to the |
| the internet? This is a very good question that I | | | | same internet dangers but most of them are not |
| know most parents are asking themselves. If you, as | | | | aware of the real danger that festers around social |
| a parent, are asking that also, you will see that the | | | | networking websites like MySpace and internet chat |
| answer is most likely a matter of the parent's | | | | rooms. |
| personal preference. There are parents who expose | | | | Now, let's go back to the original question. How |
| their children to computers and the internet at a very | | | | young is too young to allow your child to use the |
| young age, while there are others who wait until their | | | | internet? Do you feel your child is ready to use a |
| children need to do so for school. | | | | computer and the internet? As previously stated, |
| Some elementary schools teach children as young as | | | | only you, the parent, can decide if and when you |
| first grade how to use a computer, and many | | | | think your child is ready enough to use the internet. |
| parents, especially first time parents, are not aware | | | | That said, it is important that you use your best |
| of this. Computers and internet access are becoming | | | | judgment when you allow your young child to go |
| increasingly available in schools, and more young | | | | online and do not forget to set up rules for your child |
| children are getting exposed to computers in their | | | | to observe. Always have someone older to watch |
| classrooms. These young children may not learn how | | | | over your child as they use the internet. They should |
| to browse the internet yet, but they do often learn | | | | never be allowed to browse websites online all by |
| the basics. And these include learning how to type, | | | | themselves because you never know what types of |
| how to turn a computer on and off, how to use a | | | | websites they could accidentally click on and visit. |
| computer mouse, and so on. | | | | Talking about internet safety rules, make it certain |
| Many parents allow their toddlers and preschoolers to | | | | that your child knows exactly what your views are |
| play educational games on the computer. Parents | | | | with regards to social networking websites and |
| usually get the software for these games online, | | | | internet chat rooms. If you do not feel comfortable |
| rather than go to media stores. Fortunately, most | | | | about your child using social networking websites, |
| websites do not display harmful advertisements on | | | | you should tell your child why. If you do allow it, you |
| their web page that your child could accidentally click | | | | should establish clear rules. These rules should include |
| on. | | | | asking your child to make their social networking |
| Elementary school children usually use a computer and | | | | profiles not publicly viewable, never to communicate |
| the internet to play games, though towards the fifth | | | | directly with strangers online, even to those who |
| or sixth grade, they may start to utilize the internet | | | | appear to be super friendly, not to exchange |
| to do get their school projects done. This is when | | | | personal details online, and not to post pictures or |
| you as a parent should start to keep track of your | | | | videos on any websites online. |
| child's internet use. Your child may not use social | | | | Your child's passport to use the internet lies within |
| networking websites, join internet chat rooms, or | | | | your hands. Just be sure to implement clear-cut rules |
| visit pornographic websites at this age, it doesn't | | | | so that you can prevent exposing your child to |
| automatically mean they can't innocently come across | | | | internet dangers. Even children as young as toddlers |
| them. Some so-called child-friendly websites are not | | | | and preschoolers should be able to follow these rules |
| careful enough to filter advertisements that may | | | | that you have set up, such as playing games only on |
| show content offensive to very young children. | | | | websites you deem safe and kid-friendly. |
| If you have a child in junior high school, then you | | | | While there is no hard and fast rule as to how young |
| need to be very vigilant at all times when they go | | | | is too young for your child to use the internet, you |
| online because they are the ones who need the | | | | should use your best judgment in making a decision |
| most monitoring online. Kids this age are a social | | | | for your child. |