Cyber Safety - How to keep your child safe online
More and more young people are seeking help for online issues including sexting and cyberbullying. These issues can cause a direct increase in mental health problems including stress, anxiety and depression. It is, therefore, more important than ever to teach our children how to stay safe online
There is no doubt that the internet can be a valuable resource for kids. It can be used to research school projects, easily communicate with teachers and peers, stay connected with family and friends and play interactive games that foster imagination and promote problem solving skills.
However, internet use amongst children and adolescents also comes with many risks, including, easy access to inappropriate content, cyberbullying and online predators.
Here are some tips that will help to keep your children safe online.
1. Have open conversations with your child about their online activity.
Regularly check-in with your child and talk about who they are communicating with, what they are reading and seeing, what apps they are using or websites they are visiting. Discuss what you think is appropriate and listen to your child so that you are able to reach an agreement on what content they should be allowed to access.
2. Keep computers and devices where you can see them.
Keep the computer in a central space in the home where you can keep an eye on what your child is doing. If your child has a mobile phone or tablet you can try making an agreement that they are not to use their devices in their bedroom.
3. Limit access to certain websites.
What can start off as an innocent search online, can easily lead to not-so innocent results. Learning how to use parental controls and search restrictions is a vital step in preventing access to inappropriate content. The Communications Alliance has a list of approved family friendly internet content filters that restrict and monitor web sites which may be offensive for children. You can view the list at Communications Alliance Ltd.
4. Implement screen time limits
It’s easy to get lost in the online world and spend hours on end on digital devices. It may be worthwhile implementing a limit on the amount of time your children spend on electronic devices each day so that they do not lose connection with people at home. It may also be a good idea to introduce a family night that is screen-free once a week.
5. Talk about cyberbullying with your children
Explain what cyberbullying is to your child and let them know that they can come to you for help if anything is inappropriate, upsetting, or dangerous. It is also important that children know that they should avoid responding to any cyberbullying threats or comments online and instead tell a trusted adult immediately.
6. Know who your child is friends with online
Children can be naïve about the people they are chatting with online. Know who is in your child’s social media circles and explain to them that some people online aren’t always who they say they are.
7. Talk about the limits of privacy online
Be sure to talk to your child about the public nature of social media and the risks of posting personal information or images. It can be easy for young people to be coerced into sharing private information or explicit images of themselves online especially when they do not understand the consequences of doing so. With older kids, it is important to also have an open discussion about sexting. Ensure that they understand that they should never feel pressured to send explicit photos of themselves and discuss the importance of respecting themselves and their bodies. They should also be aware that any images they put online can easily be shared without their consent.
With all these tips, it is important to remember that you do not want to be instilling fear in your child or prevent them from experiencing the many benefits of the internet. Rather, provide them with the skills and knowledge they need in order to avoid any potential dangers.