We are living in an increasingly digital world, even more so now that schools have incorporated digital elements into their learning processes. Parents are struggling with giving their kids access, but also keeping them safe.  As much as we would love to shelter kids and keep them playing outside and away from screens, technology is a necessary skill. This is why it is so important to teach kids how to interact with it safely. Empowering kids with the tools they need to assess and identify when a situation is unsafe is key to preventing the dangers that come with online communication. Online worlds have their pros; learning and connecting with others are possible if done with proper safety tools. Here is a non-comprehensive list of good online precautions to teach your children.

One: NEVER Share Personal Information Online

It seems more and more commonly forgotten, but the number one way to stay safe online is to keep your personal information to yourself. The less internet strangers know about your life, the better. Young kids do not have the life experience to evaluate the risks of sharing themselves online. Stick to kid-friendly social platforms (if any, at the appropriate age) and encourage them to think of a fun username to go by that doesn’t provide any personal information.

Personal information includes your full name, address, phone number, school, and passwords. An easy way to communicate all of that with children in your life is the principle of “stranger danger.” If you wouldn’t tell a stranger, don’t share it online.

Two: Be Careful When Talking to Strangers Online

Not everyone is who they say they are. This isn’t inherently malicious, but still needs to be communicated to kids as a potential danger. Staying cautious of online strangers is key. Talk with them about the importance of never meeting up with someone they met online without parental permission or supervision. Other kids just like them are online. Unfortunately, so are those with less genuine intentions.

Three: Only Visit Age-Appropriate Websites

The internet is a massive source of information. Naturally, much of this information is not kid-friendly. Monitor your children’s internet use, and set up parental controls on their devices that restrict access to inappropriate content. Create a list of approved sites and make a policy of checking out new sites they want to visit together. This can be a valuable tool towards building trust and explaining why they can’t access certain sites.

Four: Keep Social Media Private

When kids grow old enough to be on larger social media sites, set their profiles to private. A private account typically requires approval to be followed, and limits the view of their posts to approved followers. Discuss the importance of only connecting with people they know in real life, not strangers. Private accounts give older kids the freedom to post, while being limited to an audience they have control over.

Five: Use Strong Passwords

Password theft is common; having a strong password is one of the best tools to combat it. Help your child make a password that’s easy to remember but hard to guess and remind them not to share it.. Strong passwords combine numbers, letters, and symbols.

Six: Be Aware of Online Scams

Anyone can be a target (and fall for) online scams. Get ahead of it. Explain that they may encounter pop-ups or messages promoting something too good to be true or warning of dire consequences if they are not clicked, and that these messages are not true. Review common scams. Free products, prizes, and discounts are almost always false advertising. Encourage them to come to you if something seems suspicious so you can look at it together.

Seven: Report Inappropriate Content

Unwanted content is frighteningly easy to come across. Teach kids how to report and block content on the site they use. Build a plan, informing them of the importance of telling a parent or trusted adult about what they’ve encountered if things don’t feel right. Don’t shame kids for stumbling into something inappropriate online. It’s not their fault; it happens to all of us. Explain how reporting it keeps everyone safe from encountering it in the future. 

Key Takeaways for Parents–From the above tips, parents can reflect on these key takeaways:

• Monitor Online Activity: It’s important for parents to be involved in their child’s online experience. It’s also important to build trust with your child. Don’t do so in secret, but utilize parental controls. Have open conversations about the importance of online safety and explain why the rules you set exist to protect them.
• Set Clear Rules: When introducing the internet to kids, set clear rules for internet use. Time limits, approved websites, and expectations for online behavior are good places to start when establishing rules. 
• Encourage Open Communication: No system is perfect. Work to build an environment where your child is comfortable coming to you with questions about things they find online. Avoid shaming them for things they couldn’t have known. Take time to answer and explain each concern they have.

 

The internet can be enjoyed safely. Starting with these tips and adjusting for your household and child can give them the ability to stay safe online. Remember that childhood internet safety is a team effort. You, your child’s teachers, and your child all work together to create a safe place online.

 

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