The online world can be a fascinating place that connects people from various locations together. However, it is also a dangerous place for children. In an age where anyone can stay anonymous behind a screen, the internet can be a playground for predators, cyberbullies and scammers. As a parent, you want to ensure your children’s safety as they venture out into the online world. You can do your part in protecting your children online at home by keeping the following tips in mind.
Talk To Your Children About Online Dangers
It is best to talk to your children about the potential dangers from the day they are introduced to the internet. You want to let them know that it is the same as not talking to a stranger on the street, and some people online are not as friendly as they may seem. The key is to prepare your children for potential threats, so they know to report any issues to you immediately.
Limit The Time They Spend Online
You also need to limit the amount of time they spend online each day. The longer they spend time online, the more time predators and cyberbullies have to bother them. You can choose a timeframe that works for your children’s ages and schedules, such as a half-hour for younger children and one hour for older children. Limiting screen time also keeps your children active instead of staring at their devices all day.
Use A Filter On Their Browsers
It also helps to use a filter on your children’s browsers to ensure they are not visiting any dangerous or inappropriate websites. You also want to ensure your younger children are not engaging in social media. You can find a great K12 web filter that will ensure that your kids are only able to navigate to safe sites while they are online. This way, you know your children cannot visit any websites that pose a threat to their mental or physical health.
Put The Computer In A Common Area
It is also important to keep the computer in a common area of your home, such as your living room, dining room or kitchen. The key is to be able to monitor your children’s activity while they are online, and you cannot fully monitor their activity if they are using the computer in their bedroom, the basement or even your home office. Your children cannot hide their online activity if they are using the computer in a common area.
Stay On Top of Their Online Activity
You need to stay on top of your children’s daily online activity to ensure their safety. Talk to your children about the websites they are visiting, who they are talking to and what information they are sharing online. If you are allowing them to use social media, make sure you have their passwords to monitor their contacts. You can also look into kid-friendly versions, such as Facebook Messenger Kids. Remind your children that this is about their safety and not because you want to snoop.
As your children hit their teenage years, it may be harder to monitor what they are doing online. This is especially true if they keep their smartphones and tablets with them. However, it is important to ensure they are safe even if they are old enough to know the rules.
When you talk to your children about the potential dangers, set ground rules and stay on top of their online activity, you are helping them to make better decisions online as they grow older. They may be more open to sharing their online activity with you, and you may find they are still following the rules you set when they were younger.
Set Rules About Online Activity
Once you have a discussion with your children about the potential dangers of the internet, it is time to set some ground rules about their online activity. For example, they may not be allowed to share their name, age, location or other personal information with anyone on the internet. You also want to set a rule that prohibits them from sharing their photograph with anyone online.
Conclusion
The online world can be a scary place for young children, but you can keep them safe by talking to them, setting ground rules, using web filters and monitoring their activity.