The Blog: ministry, music, media
Internet Safety for the kids posted on July 31, 2009
Parents, you know in famliy life there are standard safety practices that all parents teach their children: look before you cross the street, don’t eat yellow snow, never give mommy’s credit card number to anyone while you are online!
Internet safety is something fairly new to the landscape of keeping our children safe 
and there are certain skills and best practices to consider for the generation of digital natives.
The primary rule is that media is social - the computer is best located in a room of the home where the parents can walk by, monitor casually and check in when needed as the children are online. And a few other tips that pretty much go for all kids: chat rooms - no. Anything that pretends you are a lonely, 20-something person - no. Sharing information that tells where you live and what your phone number is - no. Teaching the children how to make good choices - yes.
A parent of faith might consider placing the Bible or charter documents of your faith tradition in a place at least as prominent as the computer in the home. All different tools for life can help to make things better. It is also a reminder of the life you are grounded in and digital communication can help express that life - not define it.
With healthy media habits developing from childhood, prayers and respect for your faith tradition, your child will learn how to faithfully use the computer and the Internet. They will develop an expectation of compassion by remembering where their hearts are rooted. When challenges occur, even challenges that come online, they will have the tools and strength to cope. For example, will the faithful child be better able to talk to you about the cyber-bullies s/he encounters online? What about the faithful child making good choices - if s/he is grounded in the faithful disciplines that prayer, worship and faith formation have nurtured in the love of your family life together?
We know that digital communication is here to stay, so here is an article from researchers at UC Berkley who found that teens can benefit from Internet usage. Thinking and processing and a host of other benefits surfaced in this study, which is a good thing. Your child is a blessed person, let them bring those blessings to the Internet!
Music
If you would like to talk about communication with the children - listen for, Rainbow in My Heart, from my CD of the same name, that supports emotional literacy - say your feelings with the children so they can learn to identify what the feeling are! It’s all good in the land of communications 101.
with blessings for the common good,
Pastor Robin
There are 2 comments “Internet Safety for the kids” was posted by Pastor Robin
Comments
2
Mulberry Outlet provides a vast array of recreational opportunities during all four seasons. Established in 1971 with modest roots in Somerset, Mulberry Factory Shop has achieved worldwide recognition as one of the most inspired of all British luxury brands. Mulberry boasts a legacy of homespun craftsmanship which continues to make its bags the envy of all around. Look out for lots of lovely new members of the family and a ready-to-wear collection to-die-for here at mulberry handbags Coming Soon. Enter your email address below to receive email updates about mulberry bags
.
1
Internet safety is for us, thanks.
By Albern on May 28, 2010