Keeping Safe on the Internet

Chat rooms, social networking sites, Email, instant messaging. It's difficult to keep up in the fast-paced technology driven world we live in. Children today are right in the middle of a media explosion. While we might not all understand it, we need to be aware of it and how we can take an active stand toward protecting our children from the dangers, while allowing them the freedom of communication and entertainment.

The Internet is here to stay. More and more things will be cropping up on it that we may have questions or concerns about. At the Public Libraries of Saginaw, we are trying to address these concerns by talking about them on this page. We will also refer you to useful web site links that offer more information or help.

Keeping your children safe on the Internet starts with awareness and communication. Be aware of the web sites your children visit. Have them show you the sites and ask them what they like and what they don't like. Listen to what they are saying. This is an excellent chance for you to understand what your child is thinking about. Teens and pre-teens alike go through many confusing changes. They have an incredible amount of peer pressure thrown at them in school.

If your child has an account with a social networking site like MySpace, have them show you their page. Compliment them on the positives you see within in. Maybe they worked really hard on customizing their page with graphics and music. Have them show you their profile. Discuss the repercussions of having it public. Make them aware of the dangers. We have a list of some excellent web sites that you can go to with your child.

Most of all, be their friend. Our children need someone they can trust in their corner.

Click here for more on social networking and a list of web sites on Internet safety.

Booklists

Parenting Children with Specific Needs Booklist

Looking for a book or resources for specific parenting needs such as discipline, learning disorders, or psychological conditions can be a daunting task. Click here for the Parenting Children with Specific Needs Booklist and Resources List.

Booklist for Dads

Click here for "Books for Fathers: Putting Family First" booklist.

Helpful Sites for Parents

Association for Library Service to Children
The Association for Library Service to Children provides resources to support children's librarians and educators in their work and also to guide children and their families to the best resources available in print, non print and emerging formats.

The American Academy of Pediatrics
The AAP is "committed to the attainment of optimal physical, mental, and social health and well-being for all infants, children, adolescents, and young adults."

The ABC's of Parenting
The Parenthood.com site contains parenting information broken down into a large number of categories for ease of use.

Children's Yellow Pages
Need a handy guide to community services? View or download the Children's Yellow Pages from our web page. Click on the link above to go there.

Parent Soup
Brought to you by iVillage, the Parent Soup site offers many links to parenting subjects, message boards, chat areas, quizzes, free stuff, and much more.

Child Care Giver Sites

Looking for something to do with your children after school? Are you a day care provider looking for ideas on activities you can do with the children you care for? Click here for a huge list of resource web sites.