We usually do as much as we can as parents to keep our kids safe and good, from having got them to ‘slip, slop, slap’ before heading out in the sun, to them being cautious when crossing a road and always paying attention to the road while cycling. But what are you doing to safeguard them online from bullies, predators and inappropriate content?
Let’s admit it, the internet is here to stay and with eighty-three percent of teenagers going online three or more times a day and this is growing with more and more teenagers getting smartphones, it’s important to launch your parenting toolkit to some cyber security information, if you haven’t already. To get you started, here are some tips;
Know the control over Parental controls
Unarmed online searches will contribute to bad consequences, so it is prudent to know how to navigate the web browsers, internet service providers and devices’ parental control system limits.
Parental controls enable you to limit downloads from sources that are unauthenticated and distrustful. To control what your children can or can’t download, you need to be wise enough so your computers and networks can be managed to keep free of viruses and malware.
The award-winning technology of Spyic helps parents to track, and block dangerous content thus empowering children to access the Internet. Spyic not only allows you to track an iphone by number online but also the Android devices.
And unlike other parental controls that merely block a list of websites, depending on your particular customization, Spyic’s dynamic filtering searches and analyses each web site to decide if it is suitable for your child. It can also disguise foul language, but let the site move, ensuring that when searching the Internet, children are safe.
Keep power of the digital footprint of your family
For every photograph and personal information uploaded and shared on social media, the internet adds to the digital footprint of that person. The main concern of this is that it may be exploited in ways you do not intend and can not monitor until it is openly released. You should also agree that whatever is placed online is irreversible.
Children and adolescents need to be smart about the security of their photos and knowledge for this cause. The same goes for parents who frequently post online photographs of their kids.
Using Spyic, you can be well aware of your kids online activity. From Spyic’s dashboard, you can see what your kids are posting online & how others are reacting to it.
By just communicating with those they meet and trust, teach your child to keep in charge of their digital footprint. Encourage them to be selective to use the privacy controls of the social media sites they use instead of sharing to all their contacts on social media. To know more about sypic, click here.
Speak to your child frankly about their online habits
Speak with them about what they learn, watch and who they connect with online as soon as your child begins using the internet, and keep the conversation going as they get older. Tell your child what places or software they should be visiting, make a list, then look at them together.
Speak to your child about what you feel is acceptable, and inform them that for other parents and their children, this might be different. Listen and find an understanding with your child on what is best for your future. Know that the time will come that outside of home security, they will access the internet and you want them ready for that.
Teaching them about their online identity, too and how they need to be mindful about how they behave, engage with others and represent themselves in such a public forum is important. They always have to note that the network isn’t private.
Know who your kids talk to
If your kids are old enough to speak to strangers online, then you should know who these people are. It is obviously good if they are friends, family or neighbourhood children, but strangers or someone who could claim to be a friend of your child to get close to them might pose a dangerous risk to your children. Be watchful for cyberbullying or friends and family imitating others. Sadly, it happens more frequently than you might expect.
Primarily built for children, there are internet sites that allow them to learn how to interact in a safe environment online. Another choice is to speak with other parents and plan for your kid to have a playmate. The more good decisions you make them, the less bad choices they are likely to consider doing.
Know the passwords for children
Create an account for them in your own name if you have a younger kid to stop exposing the name of your kid, and then you can have the password. Fully understand the age constraints on accounts. If a platform says to sign up you ought to be 18, so maybe your kid should wait.
However, whichever your preference is, make sure you get their passwords to alert them from time to time, so that you can review their accounts and make sure everything is alright.
Teach Basics To Your Kids
If they’re using a device, no matter what age your kids are, they should learn a few things, such as what a desktop looks like when it doesn’t work, simple electrical protection and that you’ll never give away any personal information online (go over what that might be).
Tell them what the protection systems that you run are and describe why they are essential to your children. Do this for everything else on the machine that you deem vital.
Demonstrate to them that when something happens, you will not be upset, and that if individuals approach them online, it is not their fault. Mention that often even safety precautions fail and that when it comes to the pc, trusting anything more than you is a terrible idea. Make yourself a pleasant person to speak with and allow your kids to ask you any queries they may have about electronics.
