Since the Internet debuted in the early 1990s, usage of the “Net” has increased exponentially. In addition to the significant increase, the age range of users has expanded. Children as young as 3 years old are exposed to the Internet for various reasons. The constant concern regarding children using the Internet is SAFETY. Many parents are at a loss with respect to what should be done to help their children safely enjoy this revolutionary invention. Below are four suggestions for parents regarding online safety. Not fool proof but certainly worth implementing. You can always modify and/or adjust these suggestions to make them unique to your particular situation. 1. Parents can minimize any potential risks of virtual communication that is undesirable by taking responsibility for their child’s online computer and mobile device use. • Get to know the services your child uses • Familiarize yourself with parental control software • “Surf” with your children so you can know their interests/concerns, show them what is/is not appropriate to do and why • Use it as a time of sharing not enforcement or patrolling (these can lead to lost trust) • Never allow children to arrange a face to face meeting with another computer user • Monitor for inappropriate online material that may appear in e-mails, text messages and on websites • Use the “back” button if they come upon a site that isn’t what they expected • Report complaints about receiving inappropriate, unsolicited e-mail messages 2. Remind your child/children that people online may not be who they seem and everything read online is not true. • It is easy for one to pretend when unseen and unheard • Anything too good to be true probably is 3. Set reasonable rules and guidelines for computer use. • Discuss the rules and post them near the computer • Monitor their compliance with the rules • Do not use computers/electronics as “babysitters” • Limit computer use to a PUBLIC AREA of the house rather than in the bedroom • Collect cell phones, smart phones, iPod Touch, etc. (if applicable at night) 4. Create a contract with specific guidelines for computer use that you and your child/children have agree upon
Here are a few websites you may want to visit that are devoted to online safety: www.netsmartz.org www.safeteens.com www.wiredsafety.org/ www.safekids.com/ www.kidsmart.org.uk/
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The issue of school uniforms versus no dress code has come up several times over the past couple of decades. Both sides provide legitimate reasons for their position. Many schools have switched from no dress code to school uniforms while some schools have slightly modified their dress code. For parents that have children attending a school without a dress code, when making decisions about what is appropriate clothing for school, neatness and respect for the learning environment as well as others in the school community are the primary considerations. Here are some suggestions for girls and boys: Girls No: Halter tops Spaghetti straps Crop tops Cut-off jeans “short” shorts Pajama bottoms Men’s boxer shorts Large V-necks Form fitting clothes or t-shirts Torn, worn or intentional rips/tears “turned down” waistbands Clothing that is too tight or too short Exposing too much of one’s body Clothes that require continual re-adjustment Spandex Flip-flops Boys No: Baseball caps (most schools do not allow hats to be worn indoors) Sagging shorts or pants t-shirts or sweatshirts that contain obscenities or references to drugs, alcohol or tobacco use t-shirts with cutoff sleeves headbands or wraps tank tops, muscle shirts Here is some valuable insight for parents from internationally acclaimed clinical psychologist, parenting expert and author of the New York Times best selling parenting book, The Blessing of a Skinned Knee, Wendy Mogel. I hope readers find this information useful.
MYTHS ABOUT FOURTH GRADERS by Wendy Mogel 1. My child can distinguish between what she/he wants and what she/he needs. 2. It is respectful and appropriate to continue all discussions with my child until she/he understands my rationale for what I want her/him to do...or not to do. 3. Children need less sleep than they used to. 4. Just like their bodies, children’s brains are maturing faster than they used to and are more ready to learn advanced math at earlier ages. 5. Letting my child watch a PG-13 or R- rated movie won’t hurt---the parts she/he doesn’t understand will just go right over her/his head. 6. In our fast paced world, it’s more important to schedule enrichment activities, lessons and tutors than to let my child waste time goofing around or daydreaming. 7. In our fast paced world, it is more important to schedule enrichment activities, lessons, and tutors for my children than require he/she to do ordinary chores and help out at home. 8. Praise builds self-esteem. 9. It is not good for my child to feel bored, unhappy, disappointed, sad, frustrated or left out. 10. If we do things correctly, our children’s level of sexual interest should be about the same as ours was when we were growing up. |
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June 2023
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