Keeping Your Children Safe Online

Because the internet is so open source it is difficult for anyone to monitor or control. Many websites do have parental controls including the major social sites. PCs also have controls but it isn’t always easy or recommended to lock your children out. These days the best practice for keeping your children safe online is to educate them and monitor their behaviors. 

Prioritize Safety

Keeping your children safe online is a big subject nowadays. Not only are children completely integrated with their technology, but there are also some very real threats out there in cyberspace. To protect your children prioritize safety. 

Prioritising safety means educating your children on what they should and should share online. It’s important that no identifiable information, such as school or address is uploaded to their social media. Pictures of them wearing a school uniform is also discouraged. 

Set Parental Controls

Parental controls can be a touchy subject, you have to find the balance between protecting your children and restricting their freedom. Talk to them about their internet usage and agree on the website they’re allowed to visit. You might want to set some restrictions on those websites too. 

KEEPING YOUR CHILDREN SAFE ONLINE

Working with your children in this way shows that you trust their judgment and respect their freedom. Instilling the proper values and educating them about internet usage is sometimes better than turning off their channels. Also, check the age restrictions on their favorite websites. 

Discuss Their Activity

One thing you don’t want is for the line of communication on internet matters to be closed off with your children. You need to have an open and responsible channel of communication with them so they feel respected and you maintain some oversight. 

 

Talk with them regularly about their internet adventures, what sites were they on, and what did they discover. Your conversation is exploratory, but it shouldn’t be forced or awkward. Instead, make it natural and friendly, so they talk to you easily about the internet. 

Set Boundaries

If left unchecked the internet can be compulsive and unhealthy. Your children can easily get caught up in immersion gaming worlds or social media chats. If Whatsapp chats are eating up their time, you might want to download WhatsApp tracking app.

Other than this, set boundaries on their internet usage. Understand how much time they need to accomplish their online goals and still finish their homework. Make sure you schedule in enough unplugged family tike or they might become lost in cyberspace. 

Be Open

With younger children, it’s important to be open with the things they can comfortably talk about. The internet is one topic that requires a regular check-in. If your child knows they can talk to you about the Internet they will be safer as a result. 

When they get older and start to understand the world a bit better, you can talk to them about the reasons behind the rules you make. It’s important to make them aware of this so they don’t feel dominated or controlled. The understanding between you is the best way of keeping your children safe online.