Educating your kids about Internet safety has become just as important as teaching them to look both ways before crossing the street. Communication is a key component when establishing safe Internet use in your home. KiwiCommons.com, a free internet safety resource, encourages parents to discuss the importance of Internet safety with their children so that they can proactively address the issue rather than having to react after the damage has been done. An Internet safety agreement signed by all members of the family can prove to be a positive first step in this strategy.
Here are a few tips to help you get started:
10 . Be a good netizen
Being a good netizen, or ‘Internet citizen’, means being polite and displaying good manners online. Teach your kids not to post anything they wouldn’t say or do in real life and to be courteous to the people they come across online. Saying mean and hurtful things is never okay, even if it’s through a computer screen. Remember, once something is posted on the Internet, it stays there forever.
9. Understand what should and should not be posted online
Maintaining your privacy has never been so crucial. With the entire world available at our fingertips, it’s vital that your kids understand that by posting information online, it receives public exposure. Personal information should not be shared. Make sure your kids do not share information such as addresses, phone numbers or sometimes even the name of their school. A good reminder is to “think twice before you post.”
8. Create online time limits
While the Internet is a fun way to communicate, kids sometimes need to be reminded that real-life communication is just as important. By setting online time limits for your children, you help to promote a more balanced lifestyle for them, online and off.
7. Keep computers in a common area
Kids’ computers should always be placed in common areas of the house, like the family room or kitchen. This way, you can monitor your child’s activity and see for yourself which websites, chat rooms and social networks they are visiting. It also gives you the opportunity to keep the conversation going, so they know they can ask you questions along the way.
6. Stay up-to-date
Educate yourself so you can better relate to your tech-savvy kids. Learn about the latest gadgets and technological advances, and become acquainted with them alongside your children. Websites like KiwiCommons.com posts latest news and issues surrounding Internet safety. By remaining current you can better stay in the loop with what your kids are doing online.
5. Be wary of the people kids meet online
Unfortunately, there are a lot of people on the Internet who do not have the best of intentions. Make sure your kids understand that the people they meet online may not always be trustworthy. Many people use their computer screens as masks, and hide their true identities by lying about their age, gender and intentions.
4. Accompany kids if they want to meet ‘virtual’ friends
If your kids want to meet an online friend in person, be sure they know to ask you for permission first and always accompany them when the meeting occurs. Remind your kids that not everyone is to be trusted, no matter how charming they may appear online. On the Internet, there is no way of knowing who someone really is.
3. Encourage kids to report ‘inappropriate’ sites and emails
The Internet is full of information and great websites. But there are also many things online that you might consider to be inappropriate or worrisome. Kids should always tell a trusted adult if they come across something on the web that concerns them or if they encounter any emails or messages that are suspicious or hurtful. Give your kids an avenue to report things outside of the home, just in case they are too embarrassed to tell you. These sites include: CrimeStoppers.ca and CyberTip.ca.
2. If there is a problem, do not overreact
If there is a problem with your child’s Internet use, handle the situation calmly and do not overreact. Maintain an open dialogue, and just hear them out first before taking the action you deem to be appropriate. Remember, your kids may be more open with you if they feel they have a non-judgmental parent to confide in.
1. Make it a family affair
The most important thing to maintain safe Internet use within your household is open communication. Talk to your kids regularly about their online activities and help them understand how to use the Internet responsibly. And don’t forget to update your Internet safety agreement to match your children’s growth and maturity, so you’re all on the same page.
[This article was written by Kiwi Commons, a free Internet safety resource dedicated to providing teachers and parents with the most informative late-breaking news, tips, guides and videos.]
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