 |
|
|
|
| Education & Learning
|
|
|
|
Secure Space
Safeguard your children as they navigate the World Wide Web
By Jenny Ng
Preschoolers
1. Stay actively engaged - Screen and choose your child’s programs and software, focusing on educational objectives, purposes and the skills they target.
2. Supervise your child - Preschoolers are generally not fully equipped with the skills to navigate in the Internet.
3. Place computer in a common area so that you can supervise him easily.
4. Ensure that your child seeks your permission before using the computer.
5. Cultivate good habits Besides setting specific times for computer use, he should share the computer with his siblings. Ensure that your child does not compromise essential daily routines, nor sacrifice other social obligations while using the computer.
Primary school children
1. Discuss what your child sees on the Internet and help him to interpret the information correctly. Indicate your concerns on Internet use to your child.
2. Set rules and guidelines as to who he can “talk to”. Also get to know his Internet friends, explain that he should not meet his online friends without first informing you.
3. Teach your child to close Internet windows and tell you immediately when they encounter sites that make them feel uncomfortable.
4. Teach your child not to reveal personal details online, such as his name, age address and contact numbers
5. Check the computer’s history for signs that your child is erasing or clearing the history to prevent you from seeing evidence of forbidden site visits. Also check the computer’s cookies.
6. Play or find out more about the games that your child plays.
7. Encourage your child to pursue alternative interests unrelated to the computer.
“He’s not allowed to access the Internet unless I’m with him”
How Gillian Ng, mum to 6-year-old Darius Lim, ensures that her preschooler steers clear of Internet perils.
“Darius was introduced to computer basics when he was in Nursery as part of his school curriculum. However, even though he is now familiar with some of the simple software programs, our house rule is that he is not allowed to access the PC nor the Internet unless I’m with him.
When we access the Internet, we typically go to the cartoon websites, where he can play simple computer games. We limit each session to 15 minutes. Once, while we searching together when he wanted to find out more about certain characters in a cartoon programme, I took the opportunity to explain to him the function of a search engine. I told him that although numerous links may be ‘thrown up’ from each search, we need to assess for ourselves which links are “official” and which are dubious.
Increasingly, Darius is asking me to go online with him to find out more about certain topics that he learns in school as he is beginning to realise that the Internet is such a great repository of information. His nickname for these sessions is ‘Let’s ask Mr Google with Mummy’.
Besides ‘practical’ online sessions with him, I also highlight news stories of kids who are victims of cyberbullying. Ever though Darius does not completely understand that term, I wanted to gradually build up his awareness that ‘bullying’ also takes place in cyberspace. It will no doubt be increasingly challenging, especially when Darius starts Primary school next year and he’ll have projects where online research is required. But I am confident that with our proper guidance and our house rules, Darius can still safely leverage on the Internet as a powerful learning tool.”
Help For You
Useful resources for parents who need pointers on guiding their children’s online activities.
Books
• Cyber Wellness Handbook for Parents ($2) by TOUCH Cyber Wellness & Sports
Websites
• Touch Cyber Wellness and Sports www.planetcrush.org
• Internet Industry Authority of Singapore www.iias.com.sg/cyberpatrol/OnlineSafetyCenter.htm
• Center on Media and Child Health www.cmch.tv
• CyberSafeWorld http://www.cybersafeworld.com
Helpline
• TOUCHLine (1800-377 2252) |
If you have any comments or practical suggestions, write to us at editor@family.sg
- Mother & Baby
Grab your latest issue at all major newsstands and bookstores today!
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|