As a parent, you want to do everything possible to shield your child and ensure their safety and happiness. Parents need to be mindful of all kinds of potential threats, challenges, and obstacles their kids may face and take an active role whenever possible. One thing that has become clear in the past decade is that the more people turn to social media and the online world, the less safe it is. It can be particularly dangerous for kids, especially if they don’t have rules and safeguards in place.
If your child is starting to spend time online or has been spending more time online than before, now is the perfect opportunity to speak to them about safety tips. Because you don’t want to overwhelm them with too much information and too many rules at once, here are seven basic online safety tips you should start with.
Never Share Personal Information Online
This tip cannot be stressed enough and should be taught at an early age. Kids need to understand how dangerous it can be to share personal information online. Even if they think the person they are sharing it with and the site or chatroom are safe, it’s never smart to take a chance. Personal details such as an address, phone number, and where they go to school should never be shared.
You don’t have to scare them about would-be predators lurking online, but at the same time let them know that some people don’t have good intentions and could use that information to cause harm. Use the rule of “never trust strangers,” whether that is online or in the real world.
Turn Off Location Sharing Services
This works in conjunction with not sharing personal information. Make sure kids know how to turn off location-sharing services. If they don’t do this, anyone can find their location. If they have a device, you can even turn it off, and they won’t know any difference.
The Internet Is Forever
It’s common for kids to assume that they can post or share something online and that it won’t be there forever. What they need to know is that any comment, picture, video, or like will remain online forever. It can’t be completely erased. This means they always need to be mindful of their actions. Encourage them to take the time to think about what they are doing, posting, and how they are reacting to others.
Never Share Passwords with Others
Password protection is important for anyone of any age. Kids should learn not to share their passwords with anyone except a parent or guardian.
This is also a chance to discuss strong passwords. Strong passwords are a necessity today due to the prevalence of hackers. A strong password contains random letters (uppercase and lowercase), numbers, and symbols. To ensure they don’t forget their password, it’s a good idea to write it down and keep it in a safe place.
Spend Time Online with Kids
One of the best ways to get a sense of the content your child is consuming is to spend time online with them. Ask them about the sites they visit, take an interest in their content, and give advice when necessary.
If you’ve got young children, you may also want to use child settings on the device that will block certain types of websites and content.
Online Transactions Should Be Done on Trusted Sites
As your child gets a little older, they will no doubt start to browse sites where online transactions can take place. Just think about the sites you visit as an adult for online transactions. Perhaps you shop online, visit sites that help you find 1000s of games at a real money online casino, pay for subscription services, place food orders, and more. But before you make any purchase, you make sure it’s a trusted site that will keep your personal information safe and secure.
This is a lesson that should be taught to kids too. Sure, they may not be shopping online right now, but learning how to spot a site that is encrypted, offers secure payment options, and is a reliable company should be a priority.
It means that when the time comes that they do start making purchases online, they will be cautious and know what red flags to look for.
When in Doubt, Always Check with a Parent or Guardian
The final rule is a catch-all for any questions or concerns they may have. When in doubt, it’s always best to check with a parent or guardian. If something seems off or suspicious, or makes them uncomfortable, it’s best to stop what they’re doing and get a parent or guardian involved. It could be harmless, or it could be a situation where you need to step in.
Make sure your child knows they can come to you with any questions and that you are always there to listen and help.
The Internet Can Be a Great Thing as Long as Kids Know the Safety Tips
The internet doesn’t have to be a big, scary place. It can offer opportunities to learn, communicate with family and friends, be entertained, help with homework, and much more. Instead of trying to keep kids offline, it’s better to acknowledge we live in a digital world and it’s necessary to take some basic safety precautions. Giving kids some simple rules to work with will help to keep them safe so they can explore and get the most out of the internet.
