Internet Safety for Kids – A Parent’s Guide
Being a parent isn’t easy. You need to make sure your kids are always safe and don’t land into any trouble. It’s hard enough in the real world and becomes even more difficult when children discover the online world.
And since the online world cannot be completely monitored, it’s nearly impossible to know what they’re doing. However, there are certain things you can do to reduce the risks your kids may face online.
Here is what you should do to keep things safe for your kids.
Set clear Internet Safety rules for your kids
It’s easy to follow rules when they are clearly laid out. Limit their time on the internet. It could be half an hour from one hour every day. Also, tell them about the sites they’re allowed to visit. If they need to visit any website other than the ones that are allowed, they’ll need to get your permission.
You can search for kid-friendly alternatives to popular websites. For example, instead of Google, introduce them to Kiddle, a kid-friendly search engine by Google.
Teach your kids basic internet safety rules
You need to teach your children about the basic internet safety rules, such as:
- Don’t click on suspicious links
- Don’t open an email if you don’t know the sender
- Do not reply to bullying messages or comments
- Do not give your personal details (name, number, address etc.) to anyone on the internet.
- Do not meet anyone you met online
Be open with your kids about internet safety
Being open with your kids will help them be open with you. Let them know that if they’re being bullied online, they can come to you. They should know that they don’t have to be silent victims because you’re there to help them out.
Teach your children about the internet
Kids can often land into embarrassing situations in the online world. Tell them that their real life gets affected by what they post on their social media channels. Also, what is posted on the internet stays forever. It’s best to think before posting anything online, especially their personal photos or videos.
Stay around when your kids are online
When your child visits the online world, make sure you are around them. Just like you won’t leave them alone in a playground, make sure they’re near you when they’re online. This will generally prevent them from opening any websites that aren’t allowed for them.
Get parental control software
You can’t be around them 24/7. They might try to open a website they heard from their school friends. To make sure they abide by the rules, you can purchase parental control software. Such tools will filter out the content you don’t want your child to access. They can also track the activities that are done on the home computer.
The online safety of children involves participation from parents as well as children. With the right guidance and tools, your children can stay safe on the internet.
