June is Internet Safety Month. With children and teens home now for the summer months, they have extra time to be on the computer and have access to other forms of mass media. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) feels that the Internet, along with other forms of social media including television, newspapers, magazines, computer games, and music lyrics and videos, can pose health risks and harmful effects to children and adolescents. Parents can follow basic Internet /technology safety tips to ensure their media experience is safe and fun. 

 

*Limit the amount of time the child is allowed online daily. The AAP recommends no more that two hours total daily of “screen time.” This includes computer, television, and video game use. This helps to prevent media addiction and encourages time for physical activity or playtime with others.

 

*Have the computer set up in a common, central location in the home. Avoid computers in children’s bedrooms where it is difficult to keep close monitoring of Internet activity by the child. 

 

*Track your child’s Internet activities by installing a Web-filtering program. This will allow a parent to scan past online surfing and block inappropriate and explicit addresses, chat rooms, Web advertisements, etc. A parent also needs to become net-savvy and visit sites their child does in order to help protect them.

 

*Keep open lines of communication and talk often with your child about internet safety. Web-filtering programs and blocking devices improve child safety while online. However, instruct your child to come to you if he or she ever feels they have been threatened or harassed or feels uncomfortable by sent messages or online experiences. Also, discuss the use of texting, messaging, and chats on Facebook or MySpace with your child. Remind him or her that everything that is sent over the Internet is shared with everyone, so good judgment is very important.