Protecting kids online is a challenge that grows in complication every day. We all know how the internet is amazing, children can learn, play, create and connect with other people opening up a new different world full of risks. Thanks to the digital world that is changing day in day out, it’s also now easier to keep your kids safe online. Here are a few tips you can use to enhance online safety for your kids.
1. Be in control.
Put yourself in control by making use of parental controls on your home broadband and any other internet enabled devices in your home. Parental controls will protect your kids from seeing unsuitable or harmful content online. Internet providers such as Broadband choices provide controls to help you restrict content. Phones, laptops and other devices have that connect to the internet have settings to activate settings and also there are software packages that can help you restrict or filter online content for your kids. Also ask your children to befriend you on all their apps, Facebook, Snapchat and try to make them understand that if they are posting pictures or writing comments that they wouldn’t want you to see, then it doesn’t belong in the public eyes at all.
2. Set the rules.
You are the one that pays the bills so set the rules. The amount of time spent by your children on time TV for example, is up to you to manage. You can also make some agreement where parents and kids decide together what’s good to watch and what they should do if they are approached by a stranger online. Agree on the websites they can visit and type of activities they can engage online.
3. Check the privacy settings.
On devices they use such as mobile phones and laptops, you can check and adjust the internet browser in the option menu. It offers protection from not only viruses but also adult content. Also check the privacy settings on any online account like Facebook and Twitter that your kids use and remind them to keep personal information private.
4. Conduct open talks with your kids.
Carrying out open talks with your family about what’s and who’s online is one way you can keep them safe. Try and make them comfortable and calm bringing things to your attention, be it someone acting weird in chat rooms or something they have found on YouTube. Make your kids understand that once something is posted online, it becomes permanent.
5. Don’t ban it completely.
Preventing your children from using the internet or mobile phones completely is not a nice move to keeping them safe online in the long run because they will do it behind your back. What’s important is to have open conversations that will help your kids understand how to stay safe and what to do if they ever feel uncomfortable and afraid while using the internet.
6. Know who your kids are talking to online.
It’s hard for kids to think that the people they are talking to online through social media networks and online games are strangers, for them they are just online friends. It’s advisable you keep track of who your child is talking to by asking questions from time to time. Make them understand that it’s easy for people to lie about themselves online about things like their real names, age and location because you have never met them in person. Check the device history to know who your kid is talking to and make sure they are right people.
7. Have an idea of what your kid’s device can do.
Every parents know that smartphones can take photos and videos, and also computers can do almost everything but most have no idea what other devices can do. If you are going to allow your children to use it, have an idea of what it can do, find out its abilities, whether it’s a mobile phone, a gaming device or something to be used for streaming music. Most parents get surprised ones they find out that devices like Kindles can surf the web. Knowing what their devices can do will help you keep them safe online.
About The Author:
Irene Fatyanova is a content writer who loves reporting on the latest web design, online marketing trends, and eCommerce solutions. She is working with TechnicalMindsWeb.com. She is also a regular contributor on LifeHack.org. DZone.com, and TweakYourBiz.com.
