The internet is a vast place filled with infinite information, games, and plenty of pop culture gossip. For children growing up in this age of technology, it’s a normal part of life to sign onto some form of social media or watch their parents flipping through dozens of apps. Unless you have parental controls on your phone or computer, your child can surf the net anywhere. But there isn’t any reason to lock down the phones and smart devices to prevent kids from the internet. Read below to learn 5 ways to keep your child safe on the internet.
Schools Creating Limited Access
Schools across the nation supply students with smart devices as supplements in learning. Students have classes such as technology that keep them busy with curriculum associated games. Apps connecting parents, teachers, and students keep you informed of your child’s behavior, photos of activities and allow parents and teachers and alternative of communication. Backbreaking backpacks stuffed with heavy, cumbersome books (that somehow were always forgotten in your locker) are beginning to become a thing of the past. A growing number of schools have iPads in place of textbooks. Schools set precautions with the wifi access options for students, teachers, and guests. Software is designed to find the best way to protect schools. These educational computer programs are collecting data to ensure a safer, more efficient atmosphere in a growing digital age.
Password and Parental Control
Passwords should be difficult for a child to figure out; not their birthday or the family dog’s name (and never the actual word “password”). Internet providers have options for parental controls. Your provider or popular electronic experts about filtering your internet search engine. This technology can also be utilized on phones and smart devices to give parental controls. Timers, filters, and programs that let you know if your child is looking up specific phrases. Companies have created software that works with schools to increase protection by alerting staff with unwanted or harmful words.
Trust
Password protecting your phones, computers, televisions, and other devices are in place for the safety of kids in your life. However, some may look at is as an act on control and rebel. Give your kids trust, to begin with. Allow kids to do things on their own. If you have a feeling something might be going on, brainstorm what you want to discuss first without going on the attack. Starting a calm, open conversation can go a long way. Explain there are people online who may seem friendly but have other intentions. If anything uncomfortable happens, you want your child to go to a trusted adult. However, trust goes both ways. If they don’t follow the rules, there can be consequences. Limited access or timed sessions might be implemented if your kids break your trust.
Safety Quizzes
Safety classes can be a great way to test students’ awareness of online dangers. Programs that develop questionnaire makers find out vital information about what kids not only know but truly grasp about online threats. Online quizzes can help determine what kids know about potential and unsafe issues. The information collected can help develop safer software and online security systems. Quizzes can help in the growth of safety knowledge.
Creating Parent Meetings and Clubs
Meeting with other parents allow you to hear about other internet scams, harmful apps, and new trends. You might be surprised to know your children already are aware of challenges, however not aware your kids themselves might be thinking about doing them. Harmful or frightening challenges many times may be faked. Yet it’s a good plan to be in the know, surrounding yourself with other concerned parents. For example, classes about cyberbullying prevention tips for parents can help handle such a situation. Being connected can be a good thing when done in the right capacity.