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Traveling With Kids? 5 Destinations To Avoid

admin — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 19:54:27 +0000

Traveling With Kids? 5 Destinations To Avoid
“National Lampoon’s Vacation,” a 1983 film starring Chevy Chase, chronicles Clark Griswald’s failed attempt to provide the perfect family vacation. Judging by the $61 million the movie has grossed since its release and it’s cult-like following, millions of families can relate.

CSI offers a College for Kids

admin — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 21:30:52 +0000

CSI offers College for Kids
The College of Southern Idaho’s Community Education andOff-Campus centers are offering a full schedule of non-creditclasses and camps for school-aged children in Magic Valleycommunities throughout the summer. A variety of educationaloptions, from music and fitness to art, science and technology, areavailable for kids aged from kindergarten to middle school and arespecifically designed to provide …

Reverse Cell Phone Directory – Protect Your Kids

admin — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 16:23:59 +0000

Many of us has been in the situation where you need to identify a number which is not listed in your phonebook, be it a missed call, an SMS from an unknown mobile number, a number you wrote in a napkin but forgot who it was, or even a number which keeps on showing up on your kid’s call log. If you turn to the internet for answers by just using popular search engines, you are likely to find hundreds of search results on free reverse cell phone lookups, cell phone search directories, white pages and public phone books of all kinds all of which may help in your search for phone details. However, most of them are useless in providing details on a cell phone number, as it is considered classified and as such not in the public listings. To get a more focused report on the mobile number you are checking, there is no better way to go but with paid reverse cell phone lookups. Click Here to Get Best Reverse Phone Number Trace Service This service is paid primarily because the information available here has been gathered manually from various sources and it is continually updated, and it cost a lot of time, money, and effort to finally come up with a database which can provide such detailed and accurate information. It provides comprehensive details and these include the name, location, phone service provider, and billing status. More often than not, you can also ask for and access data on the criminal and financial history of the cell phone owner. Click Here to Get Best Reverse Phone Number Trace Service This reverse cell number lookup service is priced very reasonably, and you cannot even compare it to what you would pay a private investigator to get the same information. It’s quick, reliable, and convenient, plus you do not have to worry about compromising your own identity when you do a check as your personal information will be kept private. If the need ever arises, in instances where you have to hunt down prank callers, check on your teenage daughter’s boyfriend, confirm if a spouse has become unfaithful, identify your secret admirer, or run a background check on your new employee, reverse cell phone lookups are the most efficient and convenient way available. Click Here to Get Best Reverse Phone Number Trace Service

Do Kids Prefer Online Learning?

admin — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 18:46:03 +0000

Online learning is becoming common in school education. It has some clear advantages for educators, and studies suggest that blended learning – a carefully judged mix of traditional classroom teaching and online tutoring – is more effective than either one alone. There is also some evidence to suggest that a significant proportion of college students prefer online tutoring services and one-to-one interactions with tutors online. But what do kids think about online study? A 2008 NACOL symposium investigated the growing number of school students who opt to take all of their classes online. They cited a variety of reasons for this choice. They included:• Online learning means students can study at their own pace• The option of creating their own schedules. One, heavily involved in sports, was getting up before dawn to get practice in as well as fitting in the school day. Another needed to earn as well as study and found online teaching more flexible and convenient. • The possibility of taking courses that were not offered at their bricks-and-mortar school. For some students who have a clear idea of their career path, online learning permits them to specialize earlier, giving them a potential college and career advantage. Of course, school-age learners are diverse and full-time online study isn’t for everyone. Learning online does not suit all students, for the following reasons:• Online learning requires self-discipline, time management skills, motivation and a degree of maturity that not all learners yet possess. Those who have not developed the skills can easily become frustrated. • The social environment of conventional schooling is absent for school-age learners who take all their classes online. • Online teaching makes interaction with online tutors and teachers feels too distant and impersonal. As noted, studies suggest that, on average, the most effective education is a combination of conventional classroom education and online teaching. Online learning alone will boost some learners’ educational achievement, but impair that of others. Blended learning typically offers the best of both worlds. Instead of a ‘one-size-fits-all’ education, the solution seems to be that giving students some choice, to match their aspirations and learning styles, is the way forward. Courses that are well-designed for the online learning education environment can have certain advantages for learners. Problem-solving in the guise of educational computer games can breathe life into a dry subject. Of course, computer-aided learning can also be incorporated into conventional lessons, and most educators are aware of the power of computers in engaging learners. At the same time, there is sometimes no substitute for instructor-led, human contact in the classroom. Even though online tutors can make the most of interactive technologies and video links, face-to-face teaching allows educators to pick up nuances of student behavior that are easily missed in the online teaching and learning environment. On the other hand, the hallmark of online learning is personalized attention from online tutoring by teachers. The benefits of learning at one’s own pace, and of schedules and curricula that suit individual learners’ needs make online learning the preferred choice of many. Some will prefer conventional education. The reality is that, online teaching and learning becoming an integral part of education, many school students will have the best of both worlds.

A Kids Roman Vacation Tip

admin — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 22:23:54 +0000

Last September we organized a surprise, three day, vacation in Rome for our two grandchildren, aged eight and eleven. Like most kids of their age, they have a somewhat limited appetite for cultural and historical things. We knew they would absolutely love a trip to Rome – or anywhere else for that matter – but the problem we faced was how to maximize both pleasure and educational value at the same time for them. We came up with the idea of giving them a project based on the places we intended to see. The project was designed as a questionnaire with multi-choice answers and marks awarded so they could compete against each other. At the end of the vacation we would total the scores and award suitable prizes. The projects were put in covers printed with a picture of ancient Roman and bearing a pseudo Roman name that was recognizable as a corruption of each child’s name. For example, the kids real names are Charlotte and Dan, so we endorsed the project covers, Charlotus and Danicus. The hardest part was ensuring that answers to the questions were visibly available at the places on our itinerary and that their ability level matched the ages of the children. For example, one of the questions we chose for our visit to the Colosseum was “How long did it take the Romans to build it?” Before including this question with its five multi-choice answers, we had to ensure that there was an information source bearing the correct answer, clearly visible in the Colosseum. We did all the necessary research for this kind of thing, using guide books and the Internet over a three week period before the holiday.

We also needed to ensure that the project included plenty of humour and light-hearted answers amongst the multi-choices. For example, a question that asked “Who was the first king of a united Italy” included “Francesco Totti”, the A. S. Roma soccer star as one of the possible answers.

The vacation was kept as a complete surprise from the children until they actually boarded the plane. Their mother told them that Nanny and Grandad were coming to collect them and take them to stay at their house for a few days. When they arrived at Luton Airport and boarded the flight for Rome their surprise and delight brought tears of joy to our eyes as well as their’s.

We presented them with their projects and they studied them during the two and a half hour flight.

After booking into our hotel in Rome, we immediately headed for the Colosseum, the nearest of the places we had decided to include in our itinerary. By the end of our first afternoon in Rome, both children had correctly answered all the questions about this world famous historic monument but much more importantly, they had really enjoyed their first few hours in this wonderful, ancient city.

That evening, we ate a delicious Roman dinner, sitting outside at an inexpensive little restaurant in an atmospheric alleyway just off the Piazzo di Rotonda.

Day two included more of the ancient city area before ascending to the Piazza del Campidoglio and then across the Tiber to have our lunch in the Trastevere area at another excellent restaurant located in a busy Piazza. Four light lunches, two beers and two soft drinks in one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations, should surely have cost more than a couple of burger meals with drinks in an English motorway service station? But it didn’t and we could have easily whiled the rest of the afternoon away sitting at our table in this charming piazza.

Instead, we got up and continued our tour, reaching the Vatican by the end of the afternoon and returning to our hotel exhausted by way of the Ponte Sant Angelo and the Trevi fountain.

Our final day, started by helping the children to discover the name of the famous English poet who had lived and died in a house at the foot of the Spanish Steps. Then we ascended the steps to find out where Galileo had been imprisoned by the inquisition whilst they investigated whether a case for heresy against him could be substantiated. From there, we entered the Piazza del Pollo before wandering through Rome’s upmarket shopping area, Another lunch, not quite so inexpensive this time, was enjoyed in a street near to the Piazza Navonna. Afterwards we made our way to the Pantheon where more project questions were completed. We finished our last afternoon by walking through the Campo di Fiori and then on to the ancient city once more. Here, we discovered some of the things we had missed the previous day and finally accepted that three days to see so much in Rome is really quite inadequate.

Charlotus and Danicus presented their completed projects to us that evening over dinner just around the corner from the Trevi fountain, into which they had earlier thrown the obligatory coins. It had been a wonderful Roman holiday for them and for us. For anyone thinking of doing something similar for children of this age group, our best travel tip is to prepare a project like the one described in this article. You’ll find its more than worth the effort.

New details emerge in ‘kids for cash’ scheme

admin — Sun, 30 May 2010 12:37:46 +0000

New details emerge in ‘kids for cash’ scheme
Lawyer Robert J. Powell’s undercover role is described in a brief prosecutors filed this month in Scranton. They laid out fresh details of the alleged kickback scheme, which included excerpts of conversations Powell recorded.

How To Talk To Your Kids About Drugs

admin — Sun, 30 May 2010 08:23:09 +0000

First, set aside a few minutes a day. Talk about problems or challenges that might have come up during the day and discuss how you handled them. You can ask your child for his ideas on simple matters to help him build problem-solving skills. These skills can help him resist peer pressure to use alcohol and drugs to solve problems. Decision making skills are important Children learn how to make decisions. You can guide them with a key set of questions to ask when faced with a choice: What am I trying to decide and what do I know about it? How do I know my information is accurate? Who gave me the information? What more do I need to know before going ahead? Who has the added information I need? Once the decision is made, ask these questions: What are the good effects of this decision? What are the bad effects? After this, you can ask your child to reconsider a decision and take responsibility for the consequences. Second, validate your child’s feelings. Sometimes, children react to situations in ways we think are inappropriate, silly, or overdramatic. That’s because children don’t have the benefit of our adult experience. What is minor to us may be very important to them. For example, if your child says, “Mrs. Smith doesn’t like me. She gives me too much homework,” don’t dismiss your child by saying, “That’s ridiculous. Everyone gets the same amount of homework. ” Instead, validate your child’s feelings, investigate the situation, and guide her toward a better understanding of the situation. “Oh, I wouldn’t like it if I felt my teacher didn’t like me. But does everybody get the same homework assignment?” If you’re not sure you have all the facts regarding a situation, assure your child you will take action, such as talking to Mrs. Smith. This lets your child know that you respect her feelings and are willing to help her work through difficult situations. Read more at Parent drug resource How To Talk To Your Kids About Drugs – Part Two Practice active listening. When you show interest in what your child has to say, he or she will open up. One technique to show you’re listening and understanding is to paraphrase what your child tells you. Try doing this the next time you have a conversation. For example, your child says, “I like playing soccer, but practice is the same time as my favorite show on TV. ” You might say, “Wow, that’s a tough choice. On one hand, you really like playing soccer; on the other hand, you don’t want to miss your favorite show. ” Ask questions. Children have a lot to share when they think their opinions matter. Ask for your child’s input about family decisions. These decisions may range from what to have for dinner to where to go for a family outing. Showing your interest in her opinion will make your child feel more comfortable about opening up to you. If you are successful in establishing open lines of communication with your child about day-to-day events, he or she will be more likely to seek your input on more serious issues as well. Many of the skills you use in daily conversations may prove useful when discussing tougher issues. How To Talk To Your Kids About Drugs – Part Three Express thoughts and feelings. Being able to express thoughts and feelings with someone we feel comfortable around—whether it is a spouse, a coworker, or a friend—can make all the difference in how we feel about ourselves and in how we interact with the world around us. Similarly, young people need opportunities to express their thoughts and new feelings. When we try to limit the thoughts and feelings of our children, we take a great deal away from them. When we deny that their feelings are real, we are denying that children are individuals with their own perceptions. Young people who are taught to express themselves have an easier time dealing with peer pressure and resisting other temptations.

Heartless Kids, Reverse Phone Lookup Will Know Who You Are

admin — Fri, 28 May 2010 12:22:51 +0000

Kids can just be incorrigible at times! Callous little punks; how can they joke around about the things that are held sacred by society, like life and death, mass safety and demise? After all the bombings and shootings that have taken thousands of American lives in recent years, how can they joke about stuff that continues to traumatize most people, let alone make terrorist threats in jest? They don’t even mean to be mean, they are just bored and fooling around. Some kids are just missing that special empathy gene, I suppose. Good luck teaching them how to care. Just in the last three days, there have been bogus bombing threats at two different high schools: one in Massachusetts, another in Florida. In Florida, the 14-year-old was just bored, hanging out at a friend’s house after school. He decided to call the school and told a clerk there was a bomb on campus, and if he did not get a million dollars he would blow it up. He also threatened to activate the bomb if he saw students moving around. After evacuating all students and staff from the school building, a bomb squad conducted a thorough search but found no bomb. The detectives ran the number the call came from through a reverse phone lookup; it revealed the name and address of the culprit’s friend, and the insensitive youth was arrested and charged. I’ll bet he didn’t even understand how bad what he did was. The Massachusetts situation was similar, differing only in the way the bomb threat was delivered. In fact, it was the second bomb threat in two weeks received by a school in that area. The previous threat was at a different nearby school; a laconic note pasted to the door of the boys’ bathroom turned out to be a hoax. This time, a similar note naming the school and the date of the bombing was found in the bathroom of the local supermarket. The student who found the note immediately informed the principal and the school. Thankfully, it was early enough for the school to still be empty, the principal issued a reverse 911 announcement to parents and staff. Once again, the exhaustive search produced no explosives on the school premises. The police are investigating the threats, as both have been delivered in a similar style and possibly by the same culprit. The search is complicated by the fact that the culprit was smart enough not to use a phone, prohibiting the use of a reverse phone lookup. But I have a hunch that if these were also kids, by now they’ve texted someone to brag about the stir they’ve caused, and it’s only a matter of time before someone comes forward.

Are my younger cousins a couple of monsters, or are kids these days really this bad?

admin — Fri, 28 May 2010 11:16:47 +0000

I have some younger kid cousins who are about 7-8 years old, and I am just shocked by how greedy, bratty, selfish and nasty they are. If you go to their house, they’ll get territorial about their food and snacks, and tell guests not to eat anything because “it’s mine!”. They won’t let anyone touch their toys or games, even if it’s just to pick them up off the floor. They watch TV all day and they will start screaming and crying if you try to change the channel or if god forbid, you turn off the TV. They snarl at you and say “whatever” and “it doesn’t matter what you say”, in front of their parents, and their parents do NOTHING. By parents I mean their mothers, since they both have absent fathers. They are also very perverted, which is maybe the worst thing about them. I won’t get into that here, but let’s just say that one of them had to go to therapy for it, and the other one’s mother is in complete denial about it. Their perversion is not surprising though, my aunt once got upset because I criticized her for letting her 6 year old son watch Law & Order Special Victims Unit (this show is all about violent sex crimes, rape and murder). She also lets him watch violent, sexually explicit rated R movies. . . I’ve seen her just sit there next to her son when there was a scene with strippers getting beaten by a gang of men in a movie.

I normally really love children, but these kids just make my ovaries shrivel up. Are my younger cousins a couple of monsters, or are kids really this bad? I do want to have my own children someday, but I would very happily be child-free if kids these days are even half as bad as my cousins are.
Just to give an example of how bad they are. . . one of them used to spit at people until she was 6 or 7. She has spit in people’s faces before, and her mother would just laugh about it and act like it was funny.

Cigarette Gifts At McDonalds For Kids Meal

admin — Wed, 26 May 2010 16:23:00 +0000

Nicky Holloway spotted the unsmoked cigarette at the bottom of a box of food her one-year-old was happily tucking into. ‘I went straight back to the restaurant and demanded to speak to the manager,’ the 21-year-old said.
She claimed she heard the girl who had served her yell to a colleague: ‘Leave me a fag,’ before she picked up her son Jack’s French fries, cheeseburger and plastic toy.
‘I saw the girl but, when I told her what happened, she just laughed. To me it wasn’t funny. I was so angry they weren’t taking me seriously,’ said Miss Holloway, of Southampton.
‘My son can feed himself and I was watching him eat but he could easily have put the cigarette in his mouth. ‘ Miss Holloway said the manager of the McDonald’s branch in her home city offered her another meal or a £1. 99 refund.
But she insisted on keeping the meal and toy from the children’s movie How To Train Your Dragon and contacted the McDonald’s head office.
A spokesman for the fast food chain said a member of staff had made a ‘foolish mistake with cigarette ‘. He apologised and offered to make amends with a gift and some free meals for the family.
But the deal was rejected by Ms Holloway, who also turned down an offer by trading standards officers to investigate the incident. She wants ‘more to be done about it’ and plans to sue McDonald’s.
Of everyone makes mistakes , but the people who work in places like McDonalds have to be more careful, especially when it comes to kids meal.

A & E – Psychic Kids: Missing Person Episode # 2 DVD

admin — Mon, 24 May 2010 05:52:29 +0000

DescriptionVeronica is a young 15-year-old girl who dreamed of the death of his uncle the day before he was murdered. The spirit of the uncle that they continue to pursue, and Veronica constantly struggles not just with his experience, but also the skepticism of his father. Chip and Lisa introduce Veronica to Travis and Nicole, two other youths, both struggling with their psychic abilities were. Jointly explore the three missing persons an actual case while Veronica’s father comes face to face with his doubts and fears to make. This product is manufactured on demand using DVD-R Recordable Media. Amazon. COM standard return policy applies.

A & E – Psychic Kids: Missing Person Episode # 2 DVD

Bring The Kids! 5 Must-Visit Sites In The Holy Land

admin — Wed, 19 May 2010 08:23:26 +0000

You come to the Holy Land with your children. You’re excited to show them the land, to teach them about its rich history and its centrality to Christianity. But kids just wanna have fun! Fret not! In Israel, you can do both at the same time. Take advantage of the unique experiences the Holy Land offers. Swim in the Kinneret, the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus walked on water. Clamber over ancient Crusader fortresses. Point out the flora and fauna that existed in the times of Abraham, Moses and Jesus.
Here are 5 kid-friendly stops for your Holy Land itinerary:
North:
Walk in the water at the Majarsa Nature Reserve! The Daliot River, which runs into the Kinneret, forms the perfect water hike. Wade through the river, befriending exotic dragonflies and fish along the way. Remember to bring waterproof shoes or sandals – the rocks are slippery! The water level ranges from ankle to waist-height (though the level depends on the rainfall from the previous winter. ) You might have to carry the small ones through the deeper portions; older ones will relish the chance to swim in the refreshingly cool water. Babies and toddlers can enjoy the hike as well, happily reclining in a baby carrier, as Mom or Dad does all the work! The hike lasts about twenty to thirty minutes, depending on the crowds (and the speed of your crew. ) Reward your kids – and yourself – for a job well done at the ubiquitous “artik” (Hebrew for ice pop) stand that will greet you upon exit.
Note: Depending on the amount of time you will be in Israel, it might be worth investing in a parks pass. For the price of the pass, you have unlimited access to all the national parks in Israel for a year. You can purchase a pass at any of the parks.
At Bat Ya’ar Ranch, near the ancient, mystical city of Tsfat, you may hear your kids say, “Wow!” “Cool!” or “Can we do that again?” But they will definitely not say, “I’m bored!” The ranch, one of the foremost horseback riding sites in Israel, has plenty of fun for everyone. Parents and kids, ages 10 and up, can take a (gentle, trained) horse out for an hour (or longer). For a true “havaya” (Hebrew for “experience”), go on a two-day horseback trek! Meander “out west,” stopping for the night at a unique ecological village. Bat Ya’ar also offers a challenging ropes course (open on Saturdays and holidays), as well as Israel’s only outdoor bowling site! The younger crowd can enjoy all sorts of age-appropriate activities, such as pony rides, pita-making, and a petting zoo. Bat Ya’ar also offers activities for groups – contact the ranch for more information or to make reservations. (office@batyaar. co. il or 04-682-2268)
Center:
The Tisch Family Zoological Gardens – aka The Biblical Zoo, located in Jerusalem – offers all the wonder and enchantment of a zoo through a unique Biblical perspective. The informational signs tell readers not only about the animal’s diet and habitat – but also where this animal is mentioned in the Bible. The zoo is spread out over 62 lush, well-maintained acres. Observe the magnificent animals – regal lions, playful monkeys, slithery reptiles, and majestic elephants; hike a short path to a fantastic viewing area and observe zebras, giraffes, and hippos bathing in the cool water. Don’t miss out on the Children’s Zoo, complete with a petting zoo and a Noah’s Ark-themed playground. Surrounding the playground is a beautiful sculpture garden – which youcan touch and climb on! The Children’s Zoo also offers shade and comfortable benches, and, of course, refreshments. Relax with an ice cream or ice-cold drink before continuing on your way.
Have a budding archaeologist on your hands? Then grab your trowel and soil sifter and head to Bet Guvrin to participate in Dig for a Day! (What? You don’t have your own trowel and soil sifter? That’s okay – the folks at Archaeological Seminars, who run the digs, will provide them for you!) The program, which is appropriate for adults and kids over the age of five, runs approximately three hours. While that might not be enough time to unearth and reassemble King Tut, it will be jam-packed with digging, sifting, examining your finds, and then touring the park. Crawl through the vast, labyrinthine cave system (don’t worry, it’s guided) and marvel at the complex underground rooms built hundreds of years ago. Keep in mind that you need to pay separately for entrance into the park, in addition to the fees for the dig.
Ein Hemed, just off the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv highway (Route 1), an oasis of green in a mostly brown country, is filled with fascinating Crusader remains and leafy grounds. The Crusaders who lived here long ago gave the place a different name – Aqua Bella, meaning “beautiful water,” in appreciation of the refreshing stream that runs through the park. At the entrance of Ein Hemed is a small playground, but what will surely fascinate the little guys for longer is the imposing, two-story Crusader manor. Walk through the magnificent arched gate into a central courtyard and investigate the well-preserved rooms. (Terrific for a game of ultimate hide-and-seek!) Follow a path to a burial cave that scholars have dated to the Second Temple period. The gurgling stream adds to the beauty and serenity of the park. Guided tours are available with a reservation, including a “Genesis Tour,” “Nature’s Right to Water” and “William the Crusader. ”
The experiential is what we remember the most. Let your kids run, swim, climb, and dig – let them touch their history with their own two hands (and feet). The impact of this experience will resonate with them long after the dirt is scrubbed off and the ice pops are finished.
http://www. travelujah. com/blogs. php?action=show_member_post&ownerID=1&post_id=355

Anti-Kidnapping Tips for Kids : Same Side Wrist Release Anti-Kidnapping Defense

admin — Tue, 18 May 2010 10:51:03 +0000

Teach your kids how to defend against the same side wrist grab attack and other kidnapping techniques. Learn how to defend against it first from amartial arts expert in this free video clip then show your kids. Expert: Darryl Johnson Contact: www.onparent.com Bio: Darryl Johnson has been training students in martial arts for 16 years and is himself trained in Krava Maga, Muay Thai, and Jiu-Jitsu. Filmmaker: Paul Kersey

kidnapped kids

admin — Fri, 14 May 2010 07:50:55 +0000

Image taken on 2009-12-05 21:57:10 by thejaymo.

Keeping Kids Safe in Cyberspace

admin — Thu, 13 May 2010 20:23:06 +0000

The Internet is a vast source of information â some good and some bad. If your children learn to use it wisely, they can be safe while using the Internet for all the resources it has to offer. Â Like an infinite library, the Web can take you to the ends of the earth with the information it contains. But parents need to be vigilant about the many dangers this access poses for their children. Â Because kids today are often much more savvy about these new communication techniques than their parents, their knowledge and habits can be intimidating to parents. Â Â Although it is not always easy to know when and how to step in, our children still need us to protect them, set limits and impose rules and consequences in order to keep them safe. Â Remember that although they often may know more about the technology, they do not always have the judgment to make wise decisions when it comes to use of the internet and all the new communication devices now at their disposal. Simple surfing and instant messaging withÂ friends are common activities for kids â and generally safe, if you’ve discussed some rules of use with them. Chatting with strangers, however, may be a different story. Although there’s no way to know the actual risk, the FBI cautions that kids whose Internet activity isn’t monitored are most at risk for being exploited. Here are a few suggestions that can guide you to help your child get the most out of these new technologies while still keeping them safe and helping them to improve their judgment. Become computer literate. Â Have your children show you what they are doing on line, spend some time learning the ins/outs of the programs. Â If you are still not comfortable, ask or hire an older child to teach you. Keep the computer in a common area where you can watch and monitor your kids. Avoid putting a computer in a child’s bedroom. Share an email account with younger children. That way, you can monitor who is sending them messages. Bookmark your child’s favorite sites. Your child will have easy access and be less likely to make a typo that could lead to inappropriate content. Spend time online together. Teach your kids appropriate online behavior, including information about cyber bullying, ânetiquetteâ and being respectful and kind while online. Â Visit their favorite internet sites with them. Monitor kidsâ use of social networking sites such as Facebook, MySpace, etc. Be aware of what information is being revealed and what information can unknowingly identify your child. Find out about online protection elsewhere. Find out what, if any, online protection is offered at school, after-school centers, friends’ homes, or anyplace where kids could use a computer without your supervision. Â Install parental control filtering software and/or tracking programs, which also can help you protect your children from online predators and inappropriate adult content. Â But donât rely only on these tools. Â Kids benefit most from direct conversations with their parents. Talk regularly with your children about internet use, the online activities they are involved with and the sites they visit:Â Be direct, straightforward and assertive but not aggressive or confrontational. Let your children know what your concerns are. Â You can use âIâ messages to communicate your concerns, such as âI am worried about you posting pictures on that site because it isnât secure and strangers can see it. âÂ Talk to them about the dangers of interacting with strangers online and remind them that people online often don’t tell the truth. Encourage your children to tell you if anyone they meet online tries to get personal information from them or says things that make them feel uncomfortable. Tell your children that in order to keep them safe, you will periodically check their internet activity. Â This isnât snooping or spying, and isnât about your trust or lack of trust in them; it is about having rules to help assure their safety. Set up and communicate clearly what the family rules are (which you should also follow) regarding internet use, such as: Limit the amount of âscreen timeâ Do not share any personal information online, including name, address, name of school, phone number, credit card numbers, social security number, passwords, or names of family members. Â Use only a screen name. The first rule of smart surfing is to remain as anonymous as possible. That means keeping all private information private. Most credible people and companies will never ask for this type of information online. So if someone does, it’s a red flag that they may be up to no good. Never trade personal photographs through the mail or over the Internet. Never agree to meet anyone in person that he/she has met online. Never respond to a threatening email or message. Always tell a parent about any online communication or conversation that was scary or made the child feel uncomfortable. If your child has a new “friend,” insist on being “introduced” online to that friend. Â If your child gets involved in a social networking situation that makes him or you feel uncomfortable or in danger for any reason, or if your child has received pornography via the Internet or has been the target of an online sex offender, you can report the incident to your local police. Also, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children website www. missingkids. com has a form for reporting this type of incident called CyberTipline. They will then see that the information is forwarded to law enforcement officials for investigation. Warning signs of a child being targeted by an online predator include spending long hours online, especially at night, phone calls from people you don’t know, or unsolicited gifts arriving in the mail. If your child suddenly turns off the computer when you walk into the room, ask why and monitor computer time more closely. Â Other signs to watch for are withdrawal from family life and reluctance to discuss online activities. Remember that although it is important to respect the privacy of children and youth, safety may sometimes trump these privacy concerns. Â Be sure to let your children know that if you are concerned about their internet use, you will review their on-line communications. Â You can use this as an opening for a discussion about internet safety and internet use in general. Â Taking an active role in your kids’ Internet activities will help ensure that they benefit from the wealth of valuable information it offers without being exposed to any potential dangers. by Audrey Krisbergh, Certified Parenting Educator Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â