Child Safety on the Internet: 6 Ways to Talk to Your Children About Their Safety on the Internet

Child Safety on the Internet: 6 Ways to Talk to Your Children About Their Safety on the Internet



Cyberbullying. Electronic harassers. Malware, phishing attempts, and inappropriate social media posts. The internet poses real risks to children and teens, but parents can help them make informed decisions to keep them safe online. Here are six ways to talk about internet safety with your kids.


Establish ground rules

Before handing over a computer or mobile device to your children, have an age-appropriate discussion with them about what they should and should not do. First, set limits for the time they spend on the Internet. Have your kids talk to you before sharing information like their name or address, or talking to someone they meet online. They should tell you right away if something upsets or frightens them.


It is also important to stress the importance of them interacting with others on the Internet the way they want to be treated. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children offers a series of age-based " Security Pledges " that you can discuss with your children.


Talk about how and why their internet use is being monitored

As children get older and join social networks, watch what they post and the reasons behind it. Teens may not even fully understand the long-term impact of their posts, or that the things they post-stay online. They should know that you care about them and not try to cause trouble for them.


 It can be difficult to keep your children safe without making them feel that you do not trust them. Set boundaries and discuss situations in which you may need to cross those boundaries. If you find the way you monitor them is causing conflict, open up to try a new approach. Remind your children that their safety is your main concern, but don't be afraid to give them some freedom as they grow up.


 Parental control software like Kaspersky Safe Kids provides an easy solution to monitor and manage your children's online activities.


Talk about what is happening in their lives

It is important to maintain the lines of communication in many aspects of parental care and especially in Internet security. This is because cyberbullying is the equivalent of bullying in the real world. Children often do not want to mention the bullying they are experiencing because they are afraid of getting in trouble or losing access to the Internet. Explain that you are interested in all aspects of their lives. And make sure they realize that they can turn to you when they encounter any kind of problem. Actively listen to them during normal conversations to show them that you are always on their side, no matter what happens.


Teach your children how to behave by themselves

Show your kids that they can take steps to be proactive online by teaching them how to use privacy, whistleblowing, and blocking functions on the sites they visit. Net Aware Guide provides information about these features for a wide variety of social networks and applications. Older children may be more familiar with the online world than you are. Consider treating them as experts, and ask them to share with you the security features of the sites they visit.


Involve your children in the decision-making process

Like all conversations about parenting, cybersecurity conversations should be educational experiences, not one-sided lectures. Ask what they think, what they see online, and whether this is potentially dangerous. And if they don't agree, listen to the reason and be prepared to answer. Even if they don't like the rules, children are more likely to follow them if they participate in making them.


Don't forget the positive

It is important not to make the entire internet look like a scary place that should be avoided at all costs. Help pave the way for responsible online behavior by talking about ways the Internet can help with homework and other interests. Babies imitate their parents in many visible and invisible ways. Sharing examples of how to use the Internet responsibly can help you get the message across more powerful than enforcing rules and restrictions.

Children today are growing up in a world centered on the Internet. It is impossible to avoid children having access at some point to the Internet and all digital devices. But it is possible to keep them safe and avoid risks by educating them about their security on the Internet. It starts with following the right strategy, and these tips can help.




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