Many parents feel an increasing loss of control when it comes to protecting their children. Technology often progresses faster than we can adapt to it and children are still in the learning stage in developing the judgment that will keep them out of trouble. After all, it is one of the responsibilities (and satisfactions) of a parent to teach children the tools & skills that they need to live safe, happy, and successful lives.
Oftentimes, with technology changing so rapidly, traditional common sense gets forgotten. Sometimes all we have to do is apply old ideas from the offline world to a new context – the information age.
Motorola Droid Parental Controls
“Don’t talk to strangers” Of course you remember your parents telling you not to talk to strangers. This is even more important in the online non-physical world of cyberspace. In cyberspace it is very easy to contact anyone and you can not physically see who is interacting with your kids.
What to do? monitor texting and other activity, and take an interest in your child’s cyber world. Surf the web together, text each other, be their friend, learn to speak weblish, let them know you are there to help them learn the skills and judgment that keep them safe. You would not want someone you did not trust to communicate with your child in the physical world, so why would you want them to do it in cyberspace?
Just as technology has evolved to make our lives better, so have the threats – and they have new names: textual harassment, cyberbullying, sexting…. Despite this, no one can deny the convenience and utility of cell phones and mobile technologies. And it is great to be able to receive and send text messages from your children when they are out of the house, or to have them simply send you their location via GPS locator in an instant.
Cell phones and other mobile devices offer tremendous benefits, and your family can safely enjoy the benefits. You can become an empowered parent and have peace of mind. Take an interest in your child’s cyberspace and install the tool that helps you protects them until they are able to protect themselves on their own.
