Maybe it’s because my career is based online, maybe it’s because I am too strict but where kids are concerned and the internet it puts the fear of god into me every time.
Getting over my fear of having my children ‘online’ is something that I have had to mellow on slightly but by instigating ‘rules’ for the kids is something I stand by as a parent.
Free reign screen time is something that sends shivers down my spine so we now have a special set of rules and guidelines that I want my kids to live by with their online lives.
My Top Tips To Keep Kids Safe Online
Keeping Content Age Appropriate
This one might sound really simple but did you know that social media platforms have age restrictions? Facebook is age 13 and whatsapp is 16 and YouTube is 18 (although 13 with parents permission)
So making sure your child’s device has software that can help monitor children’s online use like Kaspersky can be super helpful to keep an eye on how much time and what sites they have access too. Anything that helps me monitor the kids is a bonus in my book.
Stranger Danger
Its one we all teach our children from the moment they can understand in the real world but making sure they know that still stands in the digital world is even more important after all sometimes what people say online is not always the truth and children are fairly gullible by default.
Once You Post It You Can Never Delete It
Long gone are the days when writing something could be binned. In the digital age there is always a footprint and things can always be found so never post something you would never be happy for a parent to see!
Never Share Personal Information
I have always told my children that there is no photos of school logos and not to share any other information with people online. By discussing personal information not only do they leave themselves open to Trolls and cyber bullies they are also an easier target for nastier side to the internet.
Less Is The New More
Having 1000 friends on Facebook doesn’t mean your kids cool it means your tween/teen is probably adding lots of people who are not in their close circle of friends or scarily they don’t know them at all. Adding strangers means they have no idea who these people are or what their motives might be to befriending strangers!
Limit Screen Time
If your house is anything like mine then screen time can be a bone of contention. After all who’s child doesn’t want to sit on devices to ‘play’ however ensuring there is a set amount of time means that there is less time to wonder around off on a tangent and risk visiting a site that hasn’t been pre approved by you.
Screen Time Is Communal Time
After some secretive online sessions from our teen a few years back and some monumental arguments about online content, online screen time in this house is in communal areas only.
Having children is one of the most precious thing in the world but trying to keep them safe in a digital world is more and more important and as Joshua is now using a device that goes online and he is 5 I am even more cautious.
The internet is such a wonderful tool for learning and keeping in touch and I want my kids to thrive with it, and so to some I might sound like a mean mum, but I will take that on the chin if it keeps them safe.
Disclaimer: This is a collaborative post
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