Protecting Your Child on the Internet

Protecting Your Child on the Internet

How do you keep your child safe online?

Threats on the Internet are changing as quickly as dangerous people can invent them. Obviously, children are especially vulnerable. And while the computer can be a valuable resource for any student, parents need to work hard at making sure they are using it responsibly. Here are some tips to help you along.

Maintain communication

A good dialogue with your child is the key to almost any parenting challenge you may face, and Internet safety is no different. As soon as your child starts using the web, set the tone that what happens online is free to talk about. Share your own stories and ask them about what they’ve seen and the sites they are visiting. If you work at building an open relationship with them, they will be much more likely to report something inappropriate to you.

Stay informed

If an online threat has made the nightly news, it’s already too late. Your student was probably aware of that site or app six months ago. The only way to keep ahead is to commit yourself to being on the cutting edge. Become a frequent visitor to sites like Mashable and Reddit, sites that specialize at what’s new and upcoming online. If you see something unsettling, talk about it openly with your child.

Monitor and filter

Using parental controls and placing the computer in a high-traffic area isn’t being “uncool”; it’s being responsible. Use all of the tools at your disposal to know what your child is doing online and block them from inappropriate activities. This extends to any mobile devices your child is using—particularly text messaging. But no matter how good your filtering software is, kids spend a lot of time trying to get around it and are usually successful. The only protection in that case is an open dialogue and the ability to look over their shoulder at any time.

Set up a contract

Even at a very young age, children understand the gravity of putting things in writing. Come up with a contract that outlines appropriate Internet use and what behavior is expected of them. At a minimum, it should cover time limits, how personal information shouldn’t be shared, and the procedure required if the child wants to meet someone they meet online. In return, the parent needs to outline what the appropriate response is to each situation.

Discuss the permanence of the Internet

The things people post online will become increasingly permanent. Children cannot comprehend that their status updates, pictures, and blog posts will probably be used to evaluate them for scholarships, college acceptance, and employment well into the future. Discuss that fact with them now and continue to remind them. Also, familiarize yourself with the deletion procedures on social network sites so you can teach them how to wipe things they will regret later.

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