These days, even young kids are using the internet to learn, interact with friends, and play games. But the sad reality is that there are dangers that kids and teens can encounter when they are online. Therefore, as a parent, setting some strict guidelines is one of the most important things you can do to help ensure your child’s safety while they are on the internet on their computers or devices.
What are some of the basic guidelines that you can consider following to help keep your kids safe, and your information private, when any of your family members are online? Check out the tips below to get started.
Keep Young Children Safe with Monitoring and Controls
Kids who are between the ages of 8 and 10 will not know how to navigate the internet safely, and they might not be aware of the risks that are associated with interacting with others online. So one of the first things you can do is simply sit down and educate your kids, letting them know that, sometimes, bad people use the internet to take advantage of others.
In addition to teaching your kids about internet safety to set a strong foundation, you can also strategically place any computers or devices that your kids will use so you can keep an eye on them while they are online. And it’s also wise to set parental controls that will restrict your kids’ access to certain websites.
Teach Your Pre-Teens and Teens About Privacy and Safety Concerns
Once your kids are a little older, it will become even easier to discuss the various threats that they may end up facing when they surf the internet. For example, you can dive into the malware that can infect your computer, and the importance of being careful when it comes to choosing which websites to visit. In addition to that, you can also discuss the fact that there are scammers who want to access personal, private information to steal a victim’s money or identity.
Also, at this age, your kids might be tempted to go into chat rooms, forums, and social media sites where they can interact with strangers. This is a bad idea, so setting strict rules and parental controls is still smart. Tell your kids that they should never give out their personal information, or the information of any family members, and that they should never agree to meet someone in person. And show them how to use Nuwber to do some research on an individual when trying to determine if they are trustworthy and honest about who they are.
Should You Ask for Passwords?
When it comes to letting your kids use the internet, you might be reluctant to invade their privacy by asking for the passwords that they use. But, as a parent, this is probably something that you want to do.
Having their passwords will allow you to keep a close eye on what your kids and teens are doing online. Plus, you can check that they’re being honest with you about what they’re doing while they surf the web or interact with friends.
As you can see, different age groups might require slightly different guidelines for safety, but the most important step is taking the time to educate your children and teens about the risks.