It is also important to inform your children
about trolling, online bullying, and sexting
(when they get older). These are issues
that need to be addressed early on so that
your kids know what to expect and what to
do if a situation calls for them to respond.
Of course, rules will be different from
household to household, but these are just
some things to keep in mind. In addition
to setting clear boundaries and rules, it’s
also crucial to stand by them and enforce
them, so that your kids take you seriously
and know what is right and wrong.
EDUCATE THEM EARLY
ABOUT PRIVACY
owadays, young individuals have grown
up with social media and “smart devices”
at their ngertips that it can be hard to
control how much your child is exposed
to it. Kids these days are always either in
front of a TV, using a computer, or playing
with a smartphone.
This is why it’s essential to teach them how
to be safe on these devices. It’s never too
early to start educating children on how
to stay safe!
Some things you may want to train your
child to be cognizant of include:
• Do not trust strangers and give out
any personal information, especially
if they are offering something.
• Create a strong password on your
accounts.
• Don’t agree to meet with someone
wi thout a guardian if you’re
underaged; and if you are of age,
meet somewhere public and safe.
• Be wary of suspicious weblinks.
• Make sure to logout of all accounts
when using a public device.
STAY INVOLVED
In addition to educating your children
about safety online, staying involved is
another important aspect. If your child
is young, it might be a good idea to
use the Internet with them and keep a
close eye on the sites they like to visit
and maybe even apps that they use on
the phone. This way, you can point out
certain concerns as they arise, before
they become out of control.
This is not to say that you should become
a spy. There are plenty of tracking
software you can install onto your kid’s
computer, phone, and/or tablet that will
tell you exactly what is going on. However,
this is not recommended as it violates
their “privacy” and may eventually cause
them to feel betrayed and you may lose
their trust. Having a good relationship with
your children is key to having them obey.
Setting a good example is a much better
choice here.
KNOW & ENFORCE
AGE-APPROPRIATE
ONLINE EXPERIENCES
Parent expectations on kids having
Internet access will (and should differ)
depending on the age. For example,
children under 8-10 should have closer
supervision while they are online. They
should be kept away from social media
until they reach an age where they can
make better judgment.
Tweens and teens should gradually
get more freedom, but parents/or a
guardian should still remain close by.
Adults should increase privacy settings
to the highest level to ensure optimal
safety. Keep in mind that teens are
often glued to the Internet these days
because smartphones and computers
are everywhere now. Setting rules early
and encouraging open communication
with your children early on will make the
teen years a lot easier.
BE A GOOD ROLE MODEL
Don’t let your children see you on any
site that you wouldn’t want them to be on.
Children often look at their parents and
make judgments on what’s acceptable and
what’s not. So, disconnect by example.
Spend time outdoors, read, cook, etc. If you
maintain examples of being disconnected,
your teen will learn from you and follow suit.
In short, make good online choices; if you
wouldn’t like to see your child do it, then
don’t do it yourself.
ENFORCE QUALITY FAMILY
TIME WITHOUT TECHNOLOGY
In a day and age where individuals are
so immersed in their electronics, it’s
extremely important to encourage and
enforce quality family time where there
are no electronic devices and technology
involved. This family time may be spent
bonding with each other, perhaps through
a fun board game, pool night, or a hearty
family dinner.
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