how many people do you think actually monitor what their kids do online? i think the whole internet chat/kidnapping thing got really big a while ago and now its a lot quieter but its still happening. does anyone here use any programs or measures to make sure your kids dont talk to a potential kidnapper on the internet?

I think that may happen...
Well, I guess the only concern of the kids in the internet is to find different computer games...or to search projects and others..

So as what u are saying...
I think that may possible to happen...so proper guidance is the solution, teach them how to use internet well
Don't just let them to chat anybody, thats why they need proper parenting guidance...

Not enough! Kids go on the strangest sites and parents must keep a watchful eye at all times.

As I recall, dateline did some sort of thing on this.

Basically the went chatting online pretending they were like 12 (not that age, but it wasn't older than twelve years old). Anyway, they did this, and eventually all these men either found their way through the conversation or directly asked for the address of this supposed "child". They went to the house and were filmed by dateline.

They had various stuff with them, and various excuses. One guy came in the house nude, the other with condoms, and so on.

Really sad, people, really sad.

Protection of your children starts in the home.

I think that's really what it should be limited too. I mean, too much time in front of the computer (or telivision for that matter) is not a good thing and isn't really healthy. However, we should be careful and not be overprotective.

You also have to allow room for your children to have fun. If they can't use the computer or TV then that limits that. Sure there's outside activities and such, but it's just not the same in modern day with modern day technology. Not the same.

I think the time should be limited, but not severely. A few hours a day is typically acceptable, in my opinion.

Just my thoughts.

I think kids can get in trouble on the internet, and there are threats on the internet. However, the internet is safer than offline. Abductors and child molesters can find and coax kids from the internet, but they can do this even better in classic parks and such.

It reminds me of how everyone is acting like MySpace is such a bad place for kids - who talk about drugs, sex, and such, and talk to older people. It's a lot better than the actual night clubs they used to go to.

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You said it best really.

Also I would like to add, if you tell your kids no, or forbid them. they are going to do it anyway regardless of what you want them to do, this is where they become unsafe. Why? because they are doing it behind your back, you have no idea and that is BAD!

being overprotective is crazy, be protective, aware and let your kids have fun, Also being the net is not unhealthy for kids, it is actually great if you teach them right and monitor what they do, we are in the age of technology now folks let them learn.

The best way to protect your children when they are online is to always monitor them when they are online. Make sure that only you now how to get your computer online. Never give them the password for your internet provider and then they will always have to ask you to log on. Then you will always know when they are on there. I know it sounds overprotective, but it's better than having something happen to them. If they say you don;t trust them, tell them you trust them but not the bad people who may want to hurt them.

The thing is and I can't not stress this enough is, if you hide things from your kids and don't give them some freedom, they are going to be in more danger then if you put it right there in front of them.
All my kids have computers, with internet access and they are allowed to go on freely. I have it set up for their ages with some parentel controls. I monitor and check the sites they have been on using history and such. I talk to my kids about the dangers, let them see using news articles and such what happens when you meet people you don't know etc.
I know I can trust my kids online now because I have shown them what happens etc.

You go by age groups on how much you make them aware. It is like never telling your kids about what happens when you have unprotected sex, It is nuts not to teach them to protect themselves. This is no different. If you don't teach them and show them at home, they are going to do it as soon as they walk out your door and then they have no knowledge on what to do or how to protect themselves, or even what to look for in dangereous situations.