Monitoring your child's technology use

[Admin]

Regardless of how much your child resents it, you can only protect him or her by monitoring what they do online.

• Keep the computer in a busy area of your house so you can easily monitor its use, rather than allowing your child use a laptop or tablet in his or her bedroom, for example.
  
  
• Limit data access to your child's smart phone if he or she uses it to surf the web. Some wireless providers allow you to turn off text messaging services during certain hours.
  
  
• Set up filters on your child's computer. Tracking software can block inappropriate web content and help you check up on your child's online activities.
  
  
• Insist on knowing your child's passwords and learn the common acronyms kids use online and in text messages.
  
  
• Know who your child communicates with online. Go over your child's address book and instant messenger "buddy list" with them. Ask who each person is and how your child knows them.
  
  
• Encourage your child to tell you or another trusted adult if they receive threatening messages or are otherwise targeted by cyberbullies, while reassuring them that doing so will not result in their loss of computer or cell phone privileges.