Tips and tricks and web beginners

By Amy Park

The internet can be a dangerous place—but it is also one of our most useful tools. As today’s kids grow up, being confident and competent online will improve their social life, increase their ability to learn about their world and give them multiple opportunities. Here’s how to help children have the best experience they can, online.

Protecting your children is the number-one priority, but be careful not to squash their curiosity. When they explore, they will learn amazing things that will inspire them. To keep kids from venturing into dangerous waters, install a program such as Net Nanny or a browser-based plug-in such as Blocksi. Make sure you read reviews and ratings of a program before purchasing to make sure it will suit your needs.

Maintain your privacy. Even though you might be accessing the internet from your couch at home, remember that it is a public space. Kids might not realize this right away, so it’s a good idea to teach them not to post any personal information that you do not want to be shared openly.

Start practicing good online habits by teaching your children how to be organized. Show them how to keep file folders and website bookmarks neat and clearly labelled. This will make schoolwork a lot easier, since a lot of assignments require online research and images from websites. Don’t get caught in the stressful drama of lost copy or digging through files looking for “that one image” the night before a project is due!

Help them find a supportive community. One of the most life-changing aspects of the internet is the ability to connect those you might never otherwise get a chance to meet. Check out and introduce your child to different forums, web groups, pages and social media options for kids with similar disabilities, needs and interests as their own. You and your child could both make lifelong friends from all over the world!