While the Internet offers a world of information for kids, it also presents great dangers from online sexual predators.
Every year, one in five children receives a sexual solicitation or approach over the Internet. With millions of children in chat rooms and sending instant messages, parents must take action to protect their kids.
A recent survey of young people revealed the following statistics about how parents are supervising their children’s online time: More than half of young people (53 percent) say their parents never ask them about whom they are talking to on the Internet, and 55 percent say their parents never surf the Internet with them.
Boys & Girls Clubs of America has partnered with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to create NetSmartz, an interactive, educational safety resource for children ages 5 to 17. Parents, guardians, educators and law enforcement personnel can access age-appropriate, 3-D activities to teach children how to stay safer on the Internet.
Here are some Internet safety tips for parents:
* Keep the computer in the family room or another open area of your home.
* If children...