Guide to the Information Superhighway
Welcome to the Information Superhighway
That's the main message of this Guide. It's designed to welcome you, and give
you a simple step-by-step introduction to parenting in a world of computers and
new forms of media. This Guide will provide some tools and rules for you to use
with your pre-high school and high school children at home, at school, and in
the community.
The Parent Perspective
It seems overnight there's a whole new world for kids — and for you. From
computers to software to the Internet — there are so many new
things, yet little guidance for parents trying to figure it all out. (Boldface
terms are defined in the Glossary).
That's why we decided to write this Guide. We hope to:
- Introduce parents to a new and changing media.
- Help parents use common sense parenting along with simple, practical tips about the new technology.
- Boost parents' confidence and jump-start their involvement to make sure that
new media will truly benefit children.
Who Is This Guide For?
This Guide is for parents who have begun to see that computers and online
services will be or already are a part of children's lives at school, at community
centers, at home, or at the library — and who are looking for some guidelines
and advice. We have written it with the computer novice in mind, and have provided
simple definitions and ideas for how to get involved. But we hope that parents
who have already become online travelers will find useful tips as well. We recognize
that it is not possible to meet the needs of every parent through one Guide. But
hopefully this Guide provides a starting point for all parents to get involved.
What Does This Guide Cover?
Working with the National PTA and the National Urban League, The Children's
Partnership talked to dozens of parents. We found these most frequently asked
questions, which this Guide sets out to answer:
This Guide focuses on computers and services that allow young
people to go beyond their own computer at school or at home and link into a wider
world. We focus on the "online" world — at this time mostly represented by
the Internet and the World Wide Web — though other aspects of
the superhighway are sometimes discussed.
While we try to give parents a brief survey of current technology, we have
emphasized parenting strategies in a world where children and young people often
know more than their parents. Although we don't focus on CD-ROMs, video
games, or computer software, we do refer to them, and many of the parenting tips
for being online also apply to these media.
How to Use This Guide
The Guide can be used in two ways:
- You can read it straight through and find a basic road map to the superhighway,
along with road signs to other helpful information (see the Resources
section); or
- You can jump to the area that seems most useful to you. At the bottom of each
file are links to every section of the Guide.
Last Word
The history of media, and television especially, has taught us some important
lessons when it comes to children. First, media has a very powerful influence
on young people. Second, without strong public attention to media issues, children's
best interests are not adequately served. These lessons are especially important
today, as a new information society is being created. In addition to helping parents
do the best for their own children, we hope that this Guide helps parents connect
with institutions like the National PTA and the National Urban League as well
as their local schools and community institutions to ensure that this new generation
of media is good for all kids.
Wendy Lazarus and Laurie Lipper DIRECTORS
© 1998 The Children's Partnership. All Rights Reserved.
Click here to view Footnotes.
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