Children find it exciting to play games with friends online. They enjoy chatting with others and even reading educational and fun articles. That’s the positive side of the internet, but there’s also the dark part.
Many dangers lurk in the virtual world, and that worries you as a parent. So here’s a quick guide on how you can minimize online risks and dangers for your kids!
Understand the Dangers That Lurk Online
Before fighting the enemy, you should know what you are up against. Unfortunately, many risks exist in the online world, including:
- Internet predators. Grooming is when people talk to kids and teens to initiate sexual contact. Most countries find this against the law.
- Cyberbullies. These are people sending offensive and insulting messages. It often happens on gaming sites and during playing sessions.
- Inappropriate content. That includes violent but also sexually explicit and otherwise sensitive images, videos, etc.
- Privacy issues. From someone stealing their identity to discovering your child’s whereabouts, these are all serious risks to your kid’s and family’s well-being.
- Malware infections. Viruses and other harmful programs could accidentally be installed on PCs, but also smartphones, tablets, and other devices.
Discuss Risks with Your Children
If you believe your child can use the web, they are ready to discuss the potential risks. Adjust the story to their age, but be honest. Your goal isn’t to scare them. For example, it’s enough to tell them clicking on suspicious links could lead to the phone breaking down and being unusable. Mention how a photo sent to a single friend from class could end up seen by the entire class, so it’s better not to send it at all. It’s about finding good examples and communicating openly about potential risks.
Establish Boundaries and Create Family Agreements
It’s best to set clear boundaries from day one of internet use. If the kids are under 13, they shouldn’t have a social media account. They can use specific child-friendly platforms, so make sure they stick to them.
You can discuss potential screen time but lead by example. If they don’t have a smartphone in their bedroom, you shouldn’t either. And if there’s a no-phone rule for meals, that applies to all family members. If you create family agreements, it increases the odds of children sticking to the rules.
Encourage Sharing Policy
The statistics are clear
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