As the world is getting closer and education is moving towards self-learning and exploration rather than rote learning methods, internet access has become essential for children. Gone are the days when seeking information and knowledge were limited to a select number of books available at home or public libraries. Today as parents and children quickly ‘Google’ things to know more, there is a higher need for ‘Safe Search’. Schools too are moving towards tablet learning so children today are online for more number of hours. 5th Feb is being celebrated as Safer Internet Day so I am bringing you a few tips that will help both children and parents.
It is important that Cyber Safety information is passed on to children and is repeated at regular intervals. Here are a few Cyber safety Tips that I have collated for Kids as well as parents.
Ingraining cyber safety checks in children is important and the earlier we start the better.
- Have an open discussion with your children to explain to them the real threats that are out there. Explain it in such a way that they are not fearful but careful and responsible about using the internet. Such discussion also ensures that children understand and appreciate adult supervision instead of perceiving it as adult intervention or worst spying.
- Show some helpful videos that talk about cyber safety and tips for teens. I found these two really useful with some great talking points. Maybe you could show these videos to children and then start your discussion about cyber safety.
Cyber Safety Tips for Kids
- Use the computer in open areas and in adult supervision. Though most search engines are working to ensure relevant and safe information is accessed through them, it is still software or a machine at work. It might not be able to catch everything.
- Anything that you put on the internet will stay there for a long time. Many a times even after you have deleted the original post, copies of it might still be in circulation. Hence be extremely careful about what is being shared.
- Remember to not share any personal information online. Information like your phone number, address, your travel plans is private information and should not be shared online or with strangers.
- Do not post private pictures online. Similarly, if your friends known or unknown are asking for private pictures, revert back with a polite but firm ‘NO’. Once any kind of pictures or videos are out of your control, you cannot dictate where and how it will be used.
- Always confide in your parents or any close adult about the kind of online activities you are involved in. If you are receiving messages or calls from strangers, or are being tempted to try some online games that requires personal information or have threatening undertones, immediately quit the game and inform adults.
- Never disclose your passwords to others, not even to your friends.
- Cyber bullying is real. Do not be an un-witty participant. Be polite in your responses on the internet. Be careful about not hurting others, sexual references or even things like racism and discrimination when you write something online. If you are being bullied online, inform your parents immediately.
- If you are venting out or discussing personal things on any online forum, be careful about what is being shared. Ideally, it is best if you discuss such things in private and in person with your known friends. Online predators are on the lookout of vulnerable targets.
Internet Safety Tips for Parents
- Inform your children about the right age to onboard social networks. Most networks expect the children to be around 14 years. Explain the reasons for the same.
- Having a child’s profile might be tempting, but it is best if you avoid it. Soft Porn sites, pedophiles are real and can easily access your child’s pictures. Be careful about what information you share online. Also see the kind of images that are being shared.
- Do not allow internet use when an adult is not at home or at bedtime.
- Ensure that strict privacy settings are in place for your child’s account.
- Do invest in good net security software that covers multiple devices like computer, smartphones etc.
- Check and activate ‘parental controls’ on various sites. Sites like Google have safe searching sites specifically for kids like Kiddle and YouTube for Kids. There are a few parental control software’s available, so you can download the same as well.
- Teach your kids to be critical of the information available and evaluate the information based on merit. Ask them to double-check any information before sending it out. The governments of various countries are getting stricter about spreading false information and hate.
- Discuss and set rules together for usage of internet. Follow these rules as children do learn a lot by seeing.
- Finally don’t be over critical about your child’s internet exploration. They might accidentally chance upon sites that are off limits. They might ask questions about such sites as they grow up. Be clear about the possible harm and ensure them that your controls are only to ensure that they experience safe internet access.
Excellent and highly informative post, Neha. You have shared very thoughtful and wonderful tips for the parents to follow.
My daughter was looking for ‘barbie ‘ games online and mistakenly typed ‘bra’ , that was when I changed my computer setting to child safe .
Neha, I had exactly the same discussion with my daughter a couple of days ago. I discussed each of the point you highlighted in this post. These days kids are exposed to internet early. So etimes it’s studies and other times it’s in form of a game app. Making them aware Cyber safety is very important.
No doubt about the fact that Internet in today’s time is a curse and a blessing both.. we dafinately need to educate youngsters about the pros and cons of cyber safety. We need to talk to kids and educate them on a regular basis !
This is a very good said way to promote cybersecurity. A very tough topic to write about Many will be helped
That’s quite an important post in today’s digital time. While we cannot ask kids to stay away from internet, at the same time it is of utmost importance that kids know how to use it judiciously.
As much as the internet is a dangerous place for everyone with weak cyber laws and their implementation, it is also indispensable as it makes life so much easier too . Great tips !
You are exactly right! Kids are getting attracted to the world of Internet and they need some awareness in using them right! Parents should be a friend in this phase to know what exactly they are doing! Descriptive feedbacks will help the kid to understand the after effect in an early stage!
Very smart thinking here Neha. I have taken notes now.
Very smart thinking here Neha. I have taken notes now.
This is a really handy post and I’m bookmarking it. Karma still has no idea social media exists. When she sees photos or videos on phone, she assumed its on youtube because thats where she gets to watch Paw Patrol on weekends. But as she grows up, we will have to have this chat with her and found your post really helpful and informative.
Internet has open get for wider knowledge but with its benefit, comes drawback too so better we should take care of point u mentioned for safer internet
Glad you made me revise these points Neha. It really matters a lot buddy.
Cyber safety is important for everyone. I also believe in going online only under adult supervision and keeping personal things away from social media.
In today’s time, the Internet is a necessity of life. It gets tough to control content 24/7 for parents and we are also vulnerable when it comes to digital banking etc. Safety tips like these are a great help for all.
I had this discussion with my parents when they started using internet. Being new my parents used to get diverted to unwanted sites and pages, got account hacked too. A very informative and helpful post Neha. Sharing with them
Today when kids know much more how to access the internet and somewhat it’s their part of curriculum we actually need to be more alert and teach them the right things and the right time…perfectly written
This is really an informational and handy guide for cyber safety. can’t agree more to all your points here.
Extremely important topic and of absolute relevance today . Kids are easy target and it’s important they use the internet in adult supervision.
Very useful Neha. It is tough to keep kids away from the internet and these are informative tips to keep them secure.
Thank you for sharing such an informative post nowadays internet is used by every kid and it’s really important to take care they know what are what is right and wrong
Cybersecurity for kids are very important. Children if made aware will be safer. Great post.
Cyber security for kids is very necessary these days . Glad I found your post.. very much helpful..
It is always good to be vigilant and keep your kids safe from cyber stalking and bullying too. This is quite an important subject because we all are dependant on the internet