The internet has transformed how our kids entertain themselves, learn and communicate.
Our children have benefited from the internet in some ways. However, there are numerous challenges and risks associated with the internet which need to be navigated carefully.
Read the following tips to keep your children safe from online dangers.
1. Monitor Your Child’s Internet Usage
Monitor and supervise your children on the internet. Only allow your children to use age-appropriate websites, games and apps. Encourage open communication, ensuring your child is comfortable talking about uncomfortable encounters or experiences online. After all, it can be dangerous to let your kids browse the internet without any supervision.
Ideally, you should be actively involved in the online connections your children make, as child predators can lurk around any corner on the internet. For example, lawsuits are being filed against Roblox alleging the platform hasn’t done enough to protect children from bad actors.
“Parents need to be aware that predators are targeting children on online platforms like Roblox,” said Jeffrey Nadrich, the founding attorney of Nadrich Accident Injury Lawyers.
If you believe your child has been harmed or exploited online, it’s important to take action quickly. Report the incident to law enforcement and preserve any evidence, such as messages or screenshots. In some cases, families may also have legal options against platforms that fail to provide adequate safety protections.
2. Teach Your Children Not to Share Personal Information
Serious consequences can result when your children overshare personal information online.
Instruct your children not to post or share:
- Where they live.
- When they are home alone.
- What their school or class schedule is.
- Where they attend school.
- Login information or passwords.
- Compromising photos of themselves.
If you’re going to let your kids post online, digital monitoring is crucial, after all. If you find that they’ve been exposing themselves to danger, it’s important to do something about it.
3. Teach Your Children Not to Download Things Without Permission
Ransomware, spyware and malware are downloaded by victims via encrypted links or networks. They are often social media and email scams which steal, infect or do other behaviors which attackers want them to, such as collecting private information, accessing webcam or holding data for ransom.
Harmful software may be received via:
- Malicious websites
- Mobile apps
- Phishing links
- Malicious emails
- Voice phishing
- Scam callers
- Text messages
A useful strategy to protect your kids online is to take measures to make your iPhones kid-safe. While it’s good to teach your kids how to protect themselves online, it’s good to have proper safety rails in place to keep them safe.
4. Set Limits for Screen Time
It’s vital to establish healthy limits regarding the screen time of your children. The more time they spend online, the more they can get sucked into dangerous ecosystems or check-out from their day-to-day activities. Video games, in particular, can be very addicting, as lawsuits filed against video game companies illustrate.
You can use apps and functions like Qustodio, Google Family Link or Apple’s Screen Time in order to remotely manage your child’s phone, set limits upon your kids’ screen time, and curb their access to their phone around bedtime.
It’s also important to set a proper example for your children by limiting your screen time as well.
5. Protect Your Children Using Technology
Check and make sure your kid’s device is kept updated and always runs the latest software. Make sure privacy settings are enabled and set to minimize the collection of data so people don’t see data that you don’t wish for them to.
Teach your child to keep personal info private. Anyone can see data when privacy settings aren’t secure.
Make sure webcams are kept covered when they’re not being used. When it comes to younger kids, parental controls such as safe search can help to keep online experiences safe. Be careful regarding free online resources, even educational resources. If your kid gets asked to provide their full name or a photograph, make sure the website is trusted.
But, most of all, just make sure you prioritize family communication when teaching your kids about the dangers of the online world.