All children can be at risk from online activities if they aren’t taught the do’s and don’ts of appropriate Internet usage and if you, their parent, don’t take the time to talk with them about the dangers. The trick is to make sure that you minimize the risks for your child while allowing them access to the opportunities the Internet has to offer.
Children can be fascinated by a variety of things available on the Internet. Online games. Chat rooms. Social networking sites. Special interest sites. Where it starts to go wrong is if the Internet starts becoming the most important thing to your child.
If your child starts spending all their spare moments online or, worse, is online when they should be doing other things like homework or going to bed, you will have to put your foot down. The Internet is an adjunct to, not a replacement for, real life. Should they become irritable or angry, you need to limit their Internet access, whether or not they like it. After all, you’re the parent.
