Five ways to protect your kids online
As much as we’d love them to spend more time outside, it’s unavoidable that our kids will spend lots of time online. From scrolling social media to completing assignments at school, the Internet is a modern necessity in almost every aspect of life.
Whether your kids are middle schoolers, or they just started kindergarten, you play a part in keeping them safe online. From open communication to effective security controls, here are just a few ways to temper the risk and make everyone safer.
1) Communicate
Firstly, you should encourage regular conversations with your children about their online activities. Sharing your own advice and asking them to tell you about anything they would like to, whether it was something they enjoyed or something that made them uncomfortable.
This openness fosters trust and allows you to guide your children gently, avoiding overwhelming them with too much pressure. You should aim to be someone your children choose to turn to when they’re unsure.
2) Implement parental controls
It’s worth taking time to utilize all the child safety tools available to you. The Internet can be a dangerous place for children, with unrestricted websites and unmonitored live posting on some social media platforms.
A proactive approach helps you to restrict access to inappropriate content and protect your family’s personal data. For example, you can download a free password manager to keep your accounts and payment information safe. This extra layer of security means you can manage your child’s digital environment without physically supervising their internet use.
3) Teach them about online etiquette
You should also help your kids learn how to use the Internet respectfully. There are plenty of servers and chat rooms in online games, so it’s highly likely that your kids will be interacting with other users.
It’s worth making sure they know how to spot the signs of cyberbullying. These include isolating other users, calling them names, or excluding them from organized activities. Whether they’re a witness to or a victim of this type of behavior, you should encourage them to report it.
4) Limit their screen time
Next, it’s worth paying attention to just how much time your child spends on their mobile gadgets or computer. Typically, they will start to become more curious and eager to find new activities as their session continues.
To keep their focus on a favorite game, or perhaps on an assignment from school, setting limits on their sessions could be worth doing.
Taking away cell phones before bedtime might seem unfair for them but could prevent your kids from accessing dangerous content and even improve the quality of their sleep.
5) Be a good role model
Finally, don’t forget to set a good example! Model empathy and accountability in all your online interactions and make sure your kids feel comfortable asking you questions. You could even spend time online together by playing games, shopping for toys, or planning a vacation.
With proactivity and prevention in mind, you can help your kids to use the internet safely and productively.
