Internet Lifeguard:

The Internet is like a Swimming Pool

We have a swimming pool in our back yard.  Our children get a great deal of recreation and enjoyment from it.  They use it year round and in the summer months they are in it several times a day.  Our whole family benefits from our swimming pool.  It provides us with a source of recreation, entertainment, exercise, family togetherness, a place to cool off…etc.  However, this same swimming pool if not properly maintained, can very quickly become unusable and if misused, it can cause pain, injury or even death.  Therefore, for our swimming pool to continue giving our family all of the benefits without the hazards it takes a little knowledge, time, effort and expense on my part. 

We did not have our pool long before I realized that I needed to get educated on proper pool care and use.  I spent some time and effort to learn how to properly maintain and use our pool.  Through this education process, I purchased the correct tools and equipment to keep the pool maintained in its best condition with minimal time, effort and expense.  Everyday, my wife or I will empty the skimmer, remove the few leaves that may have fallen on the surface of the water, and check for clogs in the automatic vacuum.  Every couple of days, we check the pressure on the filter and clean out the basket on the pool pump.  Every weekend I test the water and add the needed chemicals.  With this easy maintenance routine, our pool remains clean and useable for our entire family. 

Because of the potential safety hazards, we have made rules for the pool.  It’s more than just making sure each of my children know how to swim.   I have educated each one of them so that we all know how to be safe in and around the pool.  To make sure that everyone follows the rules and remains safe, my wife and I monitor the kids when they are in the pool and remind them of the pool rules as needed.  Even though a swimming pool takes time and effort, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. 

I have made this analogy very detailed to give you a clear understanding of my point.  Having a computer on the Internet in your home is like a having a swimming pool in your backyard.  When used correctly the Internet is a wonderful tool for research, education, entertainment, shopping, contact with others and many more uses.  Our family benefits greatly from the Internet.  However, like the swimming pool, the Internet has potential safety hazards and when misused can cause great harm to my family.  Therefore, like the pool, for the Internet to continue giving our family all of the benefits without the hazards, it takes a little knowledge, time, effort and expense on my part.  Nevertheless, like the pool the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks.  It is up to me to keep my family Surfing Safe on the Internet.

The following information will give you a good start toward keeping your family Surfing Safe on the Internet.

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