Helping Your Child Stay Safe Online
We use the internet for just about everything, from ordering household essentials to attending live classes and concerts. Your child has grown up in a world where the internet has always been around, but that doesn’t mean they know everything about it. They may know about all the exciting new games, apps and trends. However, they need to learn online safety, especially as they get older. Here are a few ways you can help:
Talk About Privacy
Most of the problems children run into online are due to lack of understanding the potential dangers. Remind your child why it’s important not to share things like offline contact information, photos, addresses, or what school they attend. Encourage your child to use screen names that don’t reveal who they are in real life. It’s also tempting for children to use third-party apps that seem harmless; however, these apps often pull mounds of personal data into an app that will then resell that information to another company.
Children also need to know how important it is not to share passwords with anyone, even their friends. They should also know never to store or automatically save any password information on public or school computers. Privacy filters are another essential tool your child can use to protect themselves. Teach your child how to use these tools, from friends-only posting to reporting and blocking accounts.
Keep Track of Online Activity
While your home isn’t the only place where your child will have access to the internet, it is where they spend most of their time. Place their computer in a central location everyone in the family can see, and check their browser history when they leave the house. Look into which apps and websites they’re using and possible inherent safety concerns. If your child spends an excessive amount of time online, start timing them. See if you can agree on a specific amount of time for daily internet use. If they have trouble sticking to it, consider turning off the Wi-Fi at a certain time each night.
Ask About Online Friends
Children who are new to the internet may take everything they read at face value, including messages from fake or deceptive accounts. One way online predators hook children in is by telling them to keep the relationship a secret. Warning signs that your child may be hiding an online contact include late night internet use, changes in behavior, and shutting off the computer when you walk into the room. Your child needs to know that if someone is making them uncomfortable, you’re there to help. Communicating with your child about who they talk to online and the dangers they could be facing may just save their life.
Let Your Child Know Cyberbullying is Not OK
Another growing problem children face is being bullied online. Cyberbullying can be worse than in-person bullying because it’s more pervasive. The bullying often takes place around the clock, and the illusion of anonymity makes some children even meaner. Talk to your child about what they say to others online, reminding them that it affects them offline, too. Become friends with their social media accounts, and if you see them being bullied or becoming a bully, see what you can do offline to make it stop.
Communicate Openly
Children who engage in unsafe behaviors, online or offline, often feel they don’t have anyone to turn to when things go wrong. Keep an open dialogue with your child about the time they spend online. If they mess up and get in trouble, do what you can to help. Reserve judgment while you deal with the situation, and talk about what happened after the fact. It’s important for your child to know you’ll be there for them when they need you most.
The internet is part of daily life for everyone, and we believe that it can be a great resource for children when used safely. For more than 50 years, the Diocese of Orlando, which includes the top Orlando private schools, has been helping children grow to their fullest potential and become leaders within their communities. We offer unique and dynamic learning environments that engage students and encourage them to become confident and responsible adults. To learn more about what makes us different, contact us today.