For Parents | The Internet

for parents : for parents - the internet - overview

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The Internet

Ninety-four per cent of young people say they go online from home, compared with 79 per cent in 2001. Sixty-one
per cent report having high-speed access.

(Source: Young Canadians in a Wired World Survey, Media Awareness Network, 2005)

Today's young people are the first generation to grow up with the Internet as a routine part of their lives. They have taken to the technology effortlessly, and in many cases are way ahead of adults in their online explorations.

This knowledge gap can be intimidating for parents, who have to scramble to keep up. But that doesn't mean that adults are irrelevant in this new wired world. In fact, our involvement is crucial, because kids need our guidance.

To help parents, teachers and librarians meet the challenge of educating children about the Internet, MNet has developed a public awareness program called Web Awareness. This program offers practical resources to help give kids the "cybersmarts" they need to make safe and responsible online decisions.

Use the Web Awareness resources in this section to help maximize the benefits of the Internet for your kids, and minimize the risks they could encounter online.

Safe Passage: Teaching Kids to be Safe and Responsible Online

What are kids doing online? What are risks of their activities? Learn how to create family online agreements, find great sites, conduct safe and effective searches, and teach kids to protect their online identities and stay safe in chat rooms.

Kids for Sale: Online Privacy and Marketing to Kids

The Internet is a marketers' dream when it comes to reaching young people. Teach your kids to recognize Internet marketing techniques, and how to protect their personal information on commercial Web sites.

Fact or Folly: Authenticating Online Information

How do kids know what's true and what's not on the Internet? Teach your kids the five Ws of authenticating online information. Learning how to find good information, and how to verify its accuracy, is the key to getting the most out of the Internet.