Welcome!

• What do I need to know?• What does my daughter need from me?• 4 areas of risk:– Web surfing– Social Networking– MSN and Chat– Mobile Phones

Many parents feel out of their depth when it comes to kids and

technology...

New rules... or just a new understanding?

• The internet is limitless and unregulated• Now, more than ever, children need limits• Parents and schools continue to provide the

security and safety of limits• No one else can or will

Some parents feel the conflict over technology is not worth

it...

We will support you to...

• understand what kids are doing online• understand the benefits and risks• work with your kids to establish boundaries

and rules• respond appropriately when things go wrong

The internet is not all evil, but finding the good stuff is

tricky...

Inappropriate content

• use a content filter (list available from IIA Australia – see the links)

• keep the computer in a public place in the home

• check ‘history’• talk to your children about the un-censored

nature of the internet

If they do stumble on something: ‘log-off and tell’

Social Networking

• used to manage relationships, self-promote, communicate

• examples include MySpace, Bebo and Facebook

• peer groups use sites like this to ‘regulate’ and monitor friendships

Kids may feel socially excluded if they do not participate

online...

Major rules:

• Parents should be invited as ‘friends’ on social networking sites so you can visit and check

• Never ever, ever, ever allow your child to tell someone their username and password

• Set up all privacy features on the site

Chat

Major rules...

• have the computer in a public space in the house (no closed doors)

• check the contact list regularly – do you know each person on it?

• limit time• set a ‘log-off’ time• save a chat log (just in case)

Kids assume they should be available 24/7

Phones: not just for phone calls!

• SMS and MMS (even touch texting : R U 4 rl?)• music sharing• photos (straight to flickr)• videos (straight to youtube)• games and applications• bluejacking and bluesnarfing• occasional phone calls

Phone abuse is a concern for many children...

The major rules...

• no phone in the room at bedtime• SIM lock the phone so only your child can

switch it on• Set Bluetooth to ‘Always Hidden’• Children must not share their number freely• Their number must not be communicated by

email, IM or online

Bullying

Bullying... St Mary’s says “no way!”

• strong anti-bullying policy• early intervention• process of ‘shared concern’• engagement with parents• serious consequences for agressive students

Online bullying

• do not respond online!• parents should not approach young people to

‘make them stop’• the child should ask aggressor to stop in clear

language• let the college know (TG teacher or Year

Coordinator)

Online bullying

• in IM: block the user• on MySpace, Bebo or Facebook: block the

user and report abuse• on mobile phone: block the number• keep records (texts, logs, chats)• inform police if necessary

Other help...

• NetAlert Helpline - 1800 880 176• Kids Help Line - 1800 55 1800• www.netalert.gov.au

Online predators use trust and esteem to engage young

people

Personal safety

• abduction is very rare in Australia• young people take their security for granted• you will be accused of being:– paranoid– over-protective– old fashioned– untrusting (of them!)

The major rules...

• never, ever publish identifying data• limit contributions to other social networking

pages• do not accept ‘friend’ invitations from

strangers• develop a ‘log-off and tell’ procedure• keep evidence

Be alert to signs that things are not right with your child

Keep communicating

Listen to their experienceListen to your

daughter’s experiences online

Get help when you need it...

There are other types of surfing!

tonight’s resources:

www.delicious.com/stmarys_parents

All images are Creative Commons licensed fromStock Exchange www.sxc.hu