- Open a dialogue with your children about internet safety.
The very first step to improve internet safety is to talk with your children about what internet safety is and why it is important. By opening a dialogue, your children are more likely to engage you when they feel they’ve encountered something that they have questions about. - Keep the dialogue open and encourage conversations and sharing.Maintain communication with your children about internet safety and encourage consistent conversations about their questions or concerns. Keep it light and ask about their other online searches, cool new websites, or what they have been learning. If conversations transform into interrogations, your children will be less likely to openly discuss their online use.
- Enable “safe search” on all browsers.All of the most popular browsers have the option to enable a “safe search” option that filters out inappropriate or explicit content from web searches. It is no replacement for having a discussion with your child, but it is a great baseline measure.
- Be a good role model.Stick to all the restrictions and policies you put in place. If your child sees that your “safe search” isn’t enabled, they’re less likely to keep it on themselves.
- Monitor the use of social media.Social media can present a host of threats to your child — from hurtful messages from peers to unsolicited explicit content from other users. Make sure you’re checking their profiles for signs of trouble or misuse.
- Teach your child about common tricks and phishing scams.Pop-up ads and click-bait are ubiquitous on the internet. Teach your children internet literacy by being able to identify what are legitimate links and what links or ads could pose a threat.
- Talk to other parents about their children’s online habits.By talking to other parents and learning about what their children are up to online, you can get a clearer picture of what your children and her peers’ internet habits are. You can then tailor your rules accordingly and have up-to-date information on the latest possible threats.
- Teach your child to ask permission before downloading any files, software or other add-ons and extensions.Downloads from unverified third party sites can often include malware that can expose your and your child’s private information. Make sure that your child knows the difference between reputable sites and those that can contain harmful downloads.
- Keep passwords secure and teach your children to keep their passwords safe.Make sure passwords or auto-fill settings on your computers and devices are kept secure from your child. Similarly, teach your child to keep their passwords or setting a secret from friends or other peers. Encourage them to share their passwords and login information with you
- Invest in a device for the home that blocks inappropriate content. The SimpliProtected device provides parents with a Plug-n-play router for blocking inappropriate content and social media websites. For more information visit https://www.SimpliProtected.com.
- Open a dialogue with your children about internet safety.
The very first step to improve internet safety is to talk with your children about what internet safety is and why it is important. By opening a dialogue, your children are more likely to engage you when they feel they’ve encountered something that they have questions about.
