Even an outstanding single parent is going to have times when the children use movies, CDs, DVDs, or even the internet to pass time. For instance, in a single parent home, keeping the kids involved with positive activity at all times is challenging. You might find that while cooking dinner, the kids turn to the computer for doing homework, which is fine. However, without the eyes of four parents to monitor the kids, they can get into places they do not belong.
The internet is both good and bad. Again, it provides an open avenue to the world, teaching our children about cultures, foods, religions, sports, you name it. When used appropriately for studies, learning, or homework, the internet is highly beneficial. However, the internet is also a playing ground for perverted people, eager to lure innocent kids into a frightening world.
Even simple chat rooms, forums, or emails that are intended for the right reasons can become dangerous. Since you cannot monitor everything your children are doing and run a household and work, you want to take certain precautions to protect your family. The first thing is to talk to your children about potential dangers of the internet. You do not have to scare them but make them aware of some ways in which bad people try to get kids attention.
You should also define the websites or types of websites considered acceptable. With this, teach your child that if he or she ends up in an unknown site, they notify you. Other ways of protecting your children from pedophiles is sick-minded individuals is to keep the computer in an open area of the home, making monitoring easier. In other words, put the computer in the living room or family room but never in the child’s bedroom.
Then, limit the amount of time your child spends on the internet. Usually, you can allow enough time for homework, as well as learning and communicating with friends without it being too much time. Finally, take advantage of new technology. Today, many internet service providers offer a means of parental control, which gives you far more control over internet use. It is always better safe than sorry. By establishing sound rules from the beginning, your children will know what to expect and your work as a single parent will not be as difficult.