Protecting Your Kids on the Internet
There is little doubt that the Internet has revolutionized the way we live, search for information and even how we socialize with our friends. Chat programs, social media sites, search engines, online games – the exposure is everywhere. Our kids know their way around a smartphone before they can even string a sentence together.
With this wealth of knowledge and information at their fingertips, how can we monitor and control what our kids read and watch online? How important is it that we do?
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Back to Basics
There are a few practical foundational steps that should be laid down first. As a starting point, parent should communicated with their kids about how useful and how sometimes dangerous the Internet can be. Kids should be reminded that the same rules about talking to strangers in person, apply on the Internet. Kids should never give out personal information to anyone online and never give out their password or sign up for a website or service without a parent’s supervision.
Communication is Key
Open up a dialogue with your kids about why they like to use the Internet, what types of sites they visit and what programs they like to use. Do your research as a parent first before planning a strategy on how to keep your children from accessing unwanted material.
As a general rule, computers should be located in family rooms where there is a lot of activity. If the Internet is approached as a non-secretive activity, children can simply ask for help if something on the Internet is confusing or strange. Also, as a parent, you can keep a watchful eye on what your child is up to.
Educating Yourself Before Others
Educate yourself as a parent and explore all the parental controls that are available to you. Search engines usually come equipped with controls for kids and some newer operating systems have inbuilt controls for what your kids can access online. Some websites are now tracking younger generations computer usage trends by downloading “cookies” and other information trackers onto your computer, so be vigilant about clearing cookies from your Internet browser.
Blocking and Restricting Access
There are many relatively inexpensive security toolkits like Net Nanny or Cyber Sitter. These programs allow you to customize the kind of content that your kids are allowed to see, depending on what age they are.
Ads are also malicious as they often contain unsuitable content for younger kids, so consider installing ad blocker software like Adblock Plus. Controls should also be set on your smart devices for purchasing, as recently it has been discovered that many game applications trick young children into purchasing bundles and packages without proper authorization from a parent – resulting in large bills charged to your credit card.
The Internet: Useful and Safe
With a little restraint and control, the Internet can be a dazzling space full of knowledge, information and fun for everyone in your family. Like many things in life, some moderation and a healthy dose safety is the key to proper enjoyment.
Kate Simmons is a freelance tech writer and blogger on topics related to family, kids’ apps and technology in education. She’s currently writing on behalf of CLEAR mobile broadband.
