Top Tips For Discussing Internet Safety With Your Children. Raising children these days poses many additional risks that we simply did not have during our own childhood years. These days, it’s not uncommon for children to have access to the internet via their own laptops, phones, or tablets. Obviously, it’s not all doom and gloom; the internet is an amazing resource and can help children with their homework, as well as help them to pursue new interests and passions. Let’s dive into some of the top tips for discussing internet safety with your children.
One of the most important conversations for parents to have with their children is discussing internet safety. We live in a world where technology is ever-evolving, and it’s more important than ever to make sure our children are safe when using the internet. Discussing Internet Safety With Your Children is an essential part of parenting in the digital age. When discussing internet safety with your children, the most important step is to make sure they understand why they should be safe online.
Explain that the internet is a powerful tool that can be used for good, but also can be used to harm. Then, discuss strategies for staying safe online. Talk to them about the risks of online predators, cyberbullying and identity theft, and discuss why they should never give out personal information online. Talk to them about the importance of not clicking on suspicious links, or downloading unknown files.
Discussing Internet Safety – Call a family meeting
It may seem old fashioned, but I am a big believer in family meetings. Gather the whole family in one location and ensure that everyone feels they are in a safe place and can talk freely about their worries or concerns. The idea of the family meeting is not to discourage your children from using the internet, but rather to put into place some clear-cut rules and boundaries that everyone can agree on.
Discussing Internet Safety – Ask your children about the websites and apps they want to use
When discussing internet safety with your children, let them lead. Ask about the types of websites and apps that they are interested in using and go through each of them as a family. Be sure to point out the obvious warning signs that may come with each website or app. For example, if your child wants to use Instagram, talk to them about people often editing their photos to unrealistic standards. Young people are more naive than us and therefore may not recognise an edited portrait for what it really is. Children and teenagers, especially girls, have been known to suffer from poor self-esteem after spending too much time scrolling through social media channels such as Instagram.
Discussing Internet Safety – Warn your child that you will be monitoring their activity
Monitoring your child‘s activity online gives you a clear picture of what they’re doing and who they’re talking to. Most parents agree to let their children use social media, but request login details so that they can periodically check in on their child’s online persona.
Discussing Internet Safety – Allowing Safe Use of The Internet
The next step in discussing Internet Safety With Your Children is to create boundaries. We all want our children to enjoy the internet, but it’s important to set limits. Create rules about how much time your children can spend online, what websites and apps they can use and how they can use them safely. Make sure that you and your children both understand the rules, and agree to follow them. Another important part of discussing internet safety with your children is to talk to them about how to handle difficult situations.
Let them know that if they ever feel uncomfortable or unsafe online, to come to you for help. Talk to them about how to identify and report cyberbullying, and how to protect themselves from online predators.
If you have any tried and tested methods for discussing internet safety we’d love to hear them