Taking duty to make sure your children understand how and why it is necessary to be safe online is just as important as having the correct tech tools in place. To raise responsible digital natives, you must talk to your children about their safety while using technology. Here are a few pointers to keep your children safe:
1. Don’t share personal info:
It is essential to maintain online safety. Discuss with your children how they can keep safe. Teach and guide them in privacy and their rights and what to and what not to share, especially when it comes to details such as your address or phone number. Be careful of who you are speaking with and the websites you visit.
2. Don’t open unknown emails:
Discuss with your children how they can keep safe. Giving out details on emails is very risky and make sure not to read emails from strangers. Be mindful of who you are speaking with and the websites you visit. If a stranger sends an email attachment to your child, advise them not to open it! This could be harmful software that damages their device and compromises their security.
3. Be aware of cyberbullying:
Cyberbullying is extremely dangerous. If you are subjected to internet bullying, speak with your parents and do not respond to harmful remarks or messages. Nowadays children have become such big targets in the world of the internet especially towards cyberbullying, and as parents you can never be too cautious. Those who interact in cyberbullying have no sense of remorse.
4. Be mindful of the time spent online:
Restrict your children’s online time and urge them to participate in events away from their devices. Determine the websites they are viewing and monitor their usage to verify that they are using their gadgets safely and responsibly.
If you don’t want your child to have access to internet on their phones especially, there are companies like Gabb Wireless that provide cellular phones that just work as phones and nothing extra. Perfect for keeping your child’s mind maturing while not exposing them to too much too soon.
5. Discuss the importance of privacy settings:
If your children have social media accounts, talk to them about why it’s crucial to keep their profiles secret. Explain the dangers of sharing personal information or photographs, even with friends or family. Remind them that once something is published online, it is nearly impossible to remove, also highlight the top 10 cyber security threats there are, and make sure they understand.
You could use these kid safety knives as a visual representation of how they can learn step by step how to do things independently. Compare them to the sharp knives you and your spouse might use to cook and how they can learn to use the same tools you do someday, but there are important steps to take to get there.
6. Set a good example:
Make a point of modeling safe, responsible internet behavior. Explain that all of the same safety precautions apply to grownups. Show your children the importance of internet security and privacy by respecting those who share with them online. There’s a lot of good to the internet, teach them how to find all that good stuff instead of running into the dangerous territories.
7. Encourage open communication:
Share your children’s online experiences with them and make yourself available if they have any queries. Let them know that you are available to assist and support them when using technology, regardless of the situation. Interaction is critical when it comes to creating responsible digital natives.
By following these guidelines, you can help raise responsible digital natives who appreciate the value of online safety and respect for others’ privacy. With a greater emphasis on online safety and security, parents may be more secure that their children will explore and participate with technology responsibly.
