• The 411 for online activities
• Relationships and the Internet
• Child Development
• Internet Safety Tools for Parents
• • Tools for parents
  • Parental Control Solutions
  • Benefits of the Internet
  • Online Games and Video Game Consoles
  • Kids Being Exposed to Sexually Explicit Material
  • Personal Boundaries and Internet Safety
  • Safe Adults and Internet Safety

Benefits of the Internet

While we need to consider the risks that children and adolescents may face while online in order to better protect them, the Internet also holds incredible educational, social and entertainment value for them. Consider the following:

Did you know?

• The Internet is a wonderful educational tool for children. Online, they have access to information on virtually any topic they are interested in.
• The Internet is a wonderful way for kids to stay connected to friends and family members. By sending emails, or using Instant Messaging (IM) and social networking sites, children can have meaningful and healthy interactions with friends and family members in their lives.
• The Internet may offer opportunities for children who have difficulty making friends in social settings to connect with peers online(NOTE: If the peer group is not known to the child offline, the interaction should occur under the direct supervision of a safe adult).
• Kids can be fully engaged online. They enjoy spending time watching videos, playing games, listening to music, etc. It can be a fun and relaxing place for them to spend their free time.

Remember that the Internet can also be accessed from cell phones.

• Cell phones can provide safety benefits for children and peace of mind for parents. Most children/adolescents have their cell phones with them almost all the time and therefore are always accessible as long as their phone is turned on. Cell phones are also useful and convenient communication tools that often come with features that children/adolescents find both fun and engaging.