Protecting Your Children Online: A Guide for Parents
The Internet has become an integral part of our children's lives. They use it for learning, socializing, and entertainment. However, the Internet also poses many risks to children, like online predators, cyberbullying, and exposure to inappropriate content. As parents, it is important to take an active role in protecting your children online. Here are some tips to help keep your kids safe on the Internet:
Set clear rules for Internet usage. Establish guidelines around when and for how long your children can be online, what websites and apps they can use, and appropriate online behavior. Be consistent with enforcing these rules. Also, lead by example by following good digital parenting practices yourself.
Monitor your children's online activity. Keep the computers and tablets in a common family space so you can see what your kids are doing online. Review your Internet browser's history and cache frequently to check which websites your children have visited. Consider using parental control software to help monitor and set limits.
Educate your kids about online risks. Talk to your children about the dangers of sharing personal information, online predators, cyberbullying, and other risks. Warn them that anything they post online can be shared and spread, even if they delete it. Set a good example through your own behavior and social media sharing.
Review social media connections. Check your children's friend requests and followers on social networks to make sure they only accept connections from people they know in real life. Look for any inappropriate sharing or posts by their connections. Remind your kids not to share anything online that they wouldn't want friends, family, teachers or future colleges and employers to see.
Set strict privacy controls. Activate the highest level of privacy controls available on all social networks, apps, and online accounts used by your children. Monitor these settings regularly in case of changes. Tell your kids not to turn off these controls without your permission. Also, disable location tagging and check-in features on their social apps.
Watch for signs of trouble. Look out for warning signs that your child may be at risk of issues like cyberbullying, online harassment, or online predators. These include changes in device or Internet use, secretiveness, anxiety, depression or other emotional distress. Take appropriate action right away if you suspect a problem.
Stay up-to-date with latest online risks. The digital landscape is constantly changing. Monitor news reports and resources from child advocacy groups to learn about emerging apps, websites, gaming platforms and other online services that may pose risks to children so you know what to watch out for.
The key to keeping kids safe online is open communication, setting clear rules, and monitoring their Internet usage and accounts. With your support and guidance, children can benefit from the digital world while avoiding many of its greatest risks. Staying involved and keeping the lines of communication open will help set your child up for success online and offline.