My presentation for parents helps them understand what kids are doing online so they can guide them to make ethical decisions. This hourlong presentation is suitable for parent/teacher organizations and church groups as well as teacher groups. For information about dates and fees, call 419-867-8815.

The following handout is included in the presentation:

Five Things Parents Can Do
To Help Kids be Responsible Online

1. Keep the computer in a public part of the house—not in a child’s bedroom.
2. Use the Parental Controls provided by your Internet Service Provider
3. Install software that monitors keystrokes and tell your kids it’s there.
4. Talk to kids in detail about what they do when they are online.
5. Use news reports to spark discussions of online ethics.

Four Questions that Will Help Kids Do the Right Thing Online

1. Who owns it?

* Give credit for the words and thoughts of others in research papers.
* Pay for music, movies and other media unless the artist says it’s free.

2. Should this be believed?

* Treat anyone not known in real life as a stranger who could be lying
* Evaluate information. Is it authoritative, opinion, or designed to mislead?

3. Will someone be harmed by this?

* Realize that online communication can be distributed widely.
* Think about privacy – what kinds of information should be shared?

4. Is this intended for adults?

* Kids shouldn’t visit sites that would allow them do things they couldn’t do the real world – gamble, view pornography, use credit cards.
* Teach kids to do only things they'd be willing to discuss at the dinner table.