For better or worse, the internet and digital devices have become an integral part of our lives. This goes for all people of all ages, including our kids. Even toddlers are often seen playing with their parents’ phones, while parents are driving, or otherwise distracted. It seems harmless, but while technology offers us many benefits, it can also expose our children to danger. As they grow, these dangers expand and can include exposure to cyberbullying, online predators, and a wide range of inappropriate content. As parents, it’s essential that we take proactive measures to protect children on-line and take intentional steps to monitor their online activity to ensure positive outcomes, at all ages.
Let’s explore simple yet effective strategies to protect children online.
5 Proven Ways to Protect Children On-line
Protect Children: Establish Boundaries
Begin by setting guidelines for the amount of time your children spend online. You must also be clear about the websites and apps they’re allowed to access, and the types of content they’re allowed to view. Make sure your children understand these rules and the consequences of breaking them. Consider using parental controls and monitoring tools to enforce these rules and keep your children safe online.
To maximize effectiveness of parental controls, you must be specific about which websites, apps, and types of content are off-limits.
For example, you may want to block social media sites. Or restrict access to certain games that have a history of cyberbullying or inappropriate content. This may include any type of social media for children below a certain age. Additionally, set time limits for your children’s online activities, such as one hour per day, to encourage a healthy balance between online and offline activities.
On-line Safety Education is Essential
Teaching your children about safety on-line is essential to help them avoid potential dangers and make informed decisions. Explain what constitutes inappropriate content. Encourage them to report seeing something they shouldn’t have to you (knowing they won’t get in trouble for an honest mistake). Also, be sure to teach them to protect personal information online by never giving it out.
Encourage your children to talk to you about any online experiences that make them uncomfortable or worried.
Teach them to never respond to threatening or harassing messages, and to report any such incidents to you or another trusted adult. By teaching your children about online safety, you can empower them to make smart decisions and stay safe online – and also avoid content that will harm them.
It’s also important to educate yourself about the online world and the potential dangers your children may face.
For instance, there are many parents whose small children are using TikTok accounts without their supervision. And they have no idea of the reach and popularity of the app. It’s important to be aware of these platforms. This will help you make informed decisions about what is and isn’t appropriate for your children to access online.
Protect Children: Participate in On-line Life
Getting involved in your children’s online lives is important when protecting them from internet dangers. Take an active interest in their online activities, such as the websites they visit, the games they play, and the people they interact with.
Encourage them to show you what they’re doing online and ask them about their experiences.
Additionally, consider participating in their online activities, such as playing games or using social media together. You can access this through the parental controls on many apps and devices, seeing exactly what sites they’re visiting. You may even install third party apps that give you access to such metrics.
This will help you understand issues that might come their way.
For instance, if you notice them spending time on Twitter or Facebook, or watching certain unhelpful YouTube videos, you can cut that in the bud straight away or add further protections to them.
Consider Alternatives & Values
Of course, it’s good to consider that which you’d rather have your child get involved with before making rules or restrictions. Perhaps you wish for them to enjoy your family time, such as when watching the Veggietales Easter movie to bond, or in learning home cooking and still enjoying their childhood.
To achieve this, it’s good to determine exactly what limits you plan to put in place.
Do you think your child should be completely off social media until they reach a certain age? That’s reasonable, and while their peers might not be restricted in the same way, you can and have the responsibility to exercise your own judgement. Having a clear idea of what you’ll allow will help you implement those rules properly from the beginning.
Protect Children On-line by Setting a Good Example
Monitoring and limiting your child’s on-line activity will only help so much. The goal is to ingrain good habits that your child will also carry into adulthood to ensure they set limits on their own online behavior once they are on their own. One great way to do this? Set a good example by keeping your phone and other devices away during mealtimes and family time. Take intentional breaks from social media to allow yourself (and your whole family) to unplug together.
Thank you as always for reading.
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Joan Senio is the founder of KindCompassCoach. Her career includes 20+ years as a health care executive and 15 years (and counting) as a consultant. The common thread through Joan’s professional life has been a commitment to lead, mentor and coach current and future leaders, and women from all walks of life. KindCompassCoach provides information and advice grounded in Joan’s personal experience; however, all articles are backed by research and provide facts and advice from a wide variety of experts. Joan also serves as a thought-leader for KuelLife.com and is a regular contributor to PsychReg and Sixty and Me.
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