For my parents being able to monitor who my friends were and who I was spending time with was as easy as looking at who got into the car with us or meeting up with.
Importance of Monitoring Online Actions
These days it turns into who their contacts are online. There are many conversations that can be monitored publicly but many that happen via more private channels such as chats or a Facebook private message.
For parents, it is a constant struggle to protect your kids from global, online threats not only the neighborhood threats. I have heard my good share of stories where someone has traveled to hurt a kid from one country to another.
If you have teens I guess it makes it even more of an effort to monitor without invading their space. At the end of the day, it is a matter of keeping clear communications with kids and teens on what they need to lookout for.
Don’t Invade Their Space
Have you had a conversation with your children about what is expected on the Internet? Maybe writing an agreement might help the children understand what is expected and help him clear out some of the many questions that run thru his or her mind.
How are you making sure that your kid’s virtual friends are worthy enough and are not posing a threat to your kids?
photo credit by smaedli