Newark, NJ --The Internet is a fun-filled
and educational place for children and teens, but potential risks
to their privacy and safety are prevalent. The American Academy
of Pediatrics (AAP) cautions parents that while surfing the Web,
children may stumble upon disturbing information or images, or
they may innocently accept files that could expose the family to
Internet thieves or computer viruses. They may also encounter cyberbullies
or worse, child predators using the Internet to befriend vulnerable
children.
“Being aware of the risks, speaking with your children about
those dangers, and monitoring their online behavior are the most
important things you can do to keep your family safer,” says
Nwando Anyaoku, M.D., MPH, Division Chief and Director of Pediatric
Ambulatory Services at Children’s Hospital of New Jersey
at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center “Older children and
teens are likely to use computers outside home, so parents need
to be sure kids understand the dangers and practice basic safety
rules.”
The following are safety tips from The Pediatric Health Center at
Children’s Hospital of New Jersey (CHNJ)
and the AAP:
For children and teens:
- Keep identity private, don't share personal information.
- Never get together with someone you "meet" online.
- Talk to a parent if you are uncomfortable or frightened by
an online interaction.
- If you feel uncomfortable because of an interaction, don't
respond.
- Never send any message you would not want to say face-to-face.
- Everything sent over the Internet or a cell phone can be shared
with the entire world, so it is important to use good judgment
in sending messages and pictures.
For parents:
- Learn first hand about social networking sites like Facebook.
There is no better way to monitor activity than to have a profile
yourself. Have a policy requiring that you and your child “friend” each
other. This is one way of showing your child you are there, too,
and will provide a check and balance system.
- For kids of all ages, ask daily: “Have you used the computer
and the Internet today?” “What did you write
on Facebook today?” “Any new chats recently?”
- Keep
the computer in a public part of your home, such
as the kitchen, so that you can monitor what your kids do online
and how much time they spend there.
- Check chats, emails and social
networking profiles for inappropriate content, friends, and images
periodically. Consider formal monitoring systems to track
your child’s
computer use.
- Set time limits for Internet use. Learn
the warning signs of trouble: skipping activities, meals
and homework to stay online; weight loss or gain; a drop in
grades. If these issues are occurring due to your child being
online when he/she should be eating, sleeping, participating
in school or social activities, your child may have a problem
with Internet addiction. Contact your pediatrician for advice
if any of these symptoms are occurring.
The Pediatric Health Center
Children from birth to 21 years benefit from the full pediatric
and adolescent medical and surgical services provided at the Pediatric
Health Center at CHNJ, which treats 15,000 patients annually.
Unique features of this program include: health care for children,
including well-child care, immunizations, and care for sick children;
on site nutritional counseling and social work services; consultation
and access to multiple pediatric medical and surgical subspecialties;
and KIDSFIT Newark, a multidisciplinary obesity and weight management
program.
Dr. Anyaoku has extensive experience as a practitioner and advocate
for children and families. She directed the childhood lead poisoning
prevention case management program and the CDC inner city asthma
initiative at CHNJ.
Call for an appointment at (973) 926-7300 or (973) 926-7282.
Date: August 11, 2009
CONTACT: Beth Salamon, Public Relations, (973) 322-4926
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