Teenagers are usually well aware of the dangers of the Internet but they tend to be careless in some situations. They crave independence and if you don’t let them use the Internet at home they can easily access it elsewhere. It is more effective to control their Internet use and keep the channels of communication open than to try to ban the Internet.

Here are some points to consider and discuss with your teens.

SAFETY

• Warn them about the dangers of giving out personal information (name, address, phone number, photos, passwords).
• Keep a close watch on webcam use and explain that images posted on the Internet can end up in anyone’s hands.
• Use parental control software to block inappropriate content and manage your kids’ online experience. Visit Videotron's Web site to learn more about the free parental control software for Internet clients.
• Don’t give your kids your password; that would defeat the purpose of the parental control.
• If they are inclined to talk to strangers, suggest safer practices: talking to friends, to people they trust, to organizations for teens like Tel-Jeunes, or just keeping a diary (on paper).

COMMUNICATION

• Take an interest in their hobbies and in what they do online. Even if teenagers are not always eager to talk, try to keep the channels of communication open, trust them, and encourage them to come to you with problems.
• Set clear rules for your kids’ Internet use and consequences for breaking the rules. Draw up an online code of conduct, keep it in plain view, and discuss it regularly. Explain that you want to keep them safe, not prevent them from getting the most out of the Internet. Children need boundaries in order to feel secure and supported.
• Don’t panic if your teens look for content related to sex. Just make sure they understand the difference between virtual reality and the real world.

SUPERVISION

• Limit your kids’ access to the Internet, especially after school if they are home alone. If they have other interests, they will be less likely to become addicted to the Internet.
• Make sure you know at least their user name and email address.
• Keep the computer in a common area (family room, kitchen, living room, etc.) and place the screen so you can see it. From time to time, check what sites your kids visit and what they do online.
• It is normal for teens to want to use a language and codes that you can’t understand (especially in chat rooms). Don’t fight it but make sure they don’t create a parallel universe on the Internet by inventing a fake identity or making up a different life.
• Keep an eye on your telephone and Internet bills to make sure your kids are not making transactions accidentally or without your approval.

CONTACTS

• Know who your kids are talking to and ask them if they know everyone on their contact list. Know their friends and, if possible, their friends’ parents. Keep an eye on their chats.
• As a rule, don’t let your kids talk on the phone with strangers they met on the Internet and don’t let them meet online acquaintances in real life. If there is a compelling reason to do so, make sure there is a responsible adult present.

HONESTY

• Explain to your kids that it is easy to lie on the Internet and that people don’t always tell the truth about themselves.
• Make sure your kids treat other Internet users with respect when they go online. Warn them about cyberbullying, which is a growing problem.