UK parents worry about but don’t monitor kids’ online activities, survey finds

Take a look through our articles about the Internet and you’ll already find plenty of examples of parents worried about what their children are up to online.

It’s not surprising, therefore, that another survey has raised similar concerns.

The computer security firm Trend Micro interviewed over 1,000 British parents and teenagers and found out:

• that over half of parents claim not to have a clue what their children are doing online.
• only 3% of parents are actively monitoring their child’s Internet activities.
• 55% of parents said they wished their kids would spend more time learning than on social networks.
• Nearly three quarters of those surveyed said they were worried that under-18s would lose essential face-to-face and English language skills as a result.

“The best way for a parent to overcome their fears about technology and what their children are up to online is to take the time to have a look at the technology their children are using,” said Will Gardner, CEO, Childnet. “Better still, get them to guide you through it. A conversation on how to keep safe and look after others online is a must.”

“Social interaction online is evolving at a constant and rapid rate and the digital generation know all the tricks of the trade,” said Rik Ferguson, security expert at Trend Micro. “With the summer holidays fast approaching, parents should put simple but effective measures in place to ensure their kids do not fall victim to unnecessary dangers. Parents need to become more tech savvy first before they can start educating their kids on what’s right and wrong.”

Trend Micro’s ten online safety tips are:

1. Keep all computers in common areas.
2. Agree to time limits for using the Internet and all social devices.
3. Keep software security up-to-date.
4. Talk with your kids about entering personal information online.
5. Run a manual scan with your software security and check browser history.
6. Set profiles on social networking sites to private.
7. Encourage children to be respectful of others.
8. Teach children to have multiple passwords that are NOT associated with names, nicknames or commonly found information over the net.
9. Most importantly, keep informed about the latest outbreaks and dangers on the Internet.
10. Buy Trend Micro internet security 2009. The latest software has enhanced parental controls. This means that parents can better tailor controls depending on the particular family member. New functionalities include the ability to control the date and time each child can go on the Internet and also the option to specify categories of information (such as home addresses, telephone numbers, passwords, etc.) they do not wish to be sent from a computer.

Six ways to make your child’s school safer: enter the security experts

Experts from ADT, the security firm, say that parents can be as influential as school board members, superintendents, principals and teachers in helping prevent violence in schools, and have offered up six tips for helping parents get more involved in security issues:

1. Talk to your children about school security. Kids are very tuned into what happens on their  ampuses. They know where there are weak spots in the security plans. Ask them about the security drills or other emergency procedures in place at their school. Also talk to them about resolving conflicts in a peaceful, nonviolent manner and about immediately reporting to school officials any threatening talk or behaviour from other students.
2. Visit your child’s campus and talk with an administrator about the security plan. Among other things, find out how visitors can enter the campus. Ask if the doors are regularly locked. Check to see if the campus has cameras monitoring entries, hallways and common areas. Ask if the school has a plan in place for handling an armed person on campus.
3. Educate yourself on the plans, procedures and technologies working well at other schools. Contact the National Crime Prevention Council (www.ncpc.org) for a copy of the Caregivers’ Guide to Safety and Security and School Safety and Security Toolkit: A Guide for Parents, Schools and Communities.
4. Get to know the law enforcement officials assigned to your child’s school. Find out when they are on campus and what their responsibilities include. If your child’s school does not have a regularly assigned law enforcement official, work with the school to make that happen.
5. Join other parents who may also be concerned about the security of their children. Become involved in the PTA or PTO and start a security committee if one does not already exist. Ask school officials to meet regularly with the group and report on security/safety incidents and continuing plans to keep the campus safe. Be an active participant by asking questions.
6. Do not keep firearms easily accessible in your home. If you have weapons in your house make sure that they are kept locked and secured. Report a missing or stolen firearm to police immediately. Teach children respect for the devastation that can occur when weapons get into the wrong hands or are used improperly.

			
			

				Filed Under: Education,  Parenting
Tagged: Education, Parenting, security