Today’s generation is so tech savvy that they know as much as you do – or more – about smartphones, texting, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and other social media. The internet can turn out to be one of the most beneficial friends for kids if used in the right way. A lot of Children learn almost everything by themselves, with the help of the internet. Although the World Wide Web can open many doors, it can put your child at risk as well. They may encounter unwanted sexual material or even sexual advances from a stranger. There are also chances that they could fall victim to cyber bullying or harassment. Their personal information could be misused if they are not careful and they cannot always know who’s on the other end of their online chats.

This generation of parents has the responsibility of helping their children make the most of the virtual space while keeping them safe in it. If you are still trying to keep up with your digitally driven child, don’t worry. Here are some tips that can help ensure your child’s online experience remains positive.

Talk with your child about online safety 

To create a safe online world for your child, the first step is to simply have a conversation. Having a heart-to-heart about cybersafety can be a lot harder than having a conversation about “saying no” to smoking, alcohol, and drugs. However, parents do not need to know as much as their children about the internet to voice their concerns. It will help to be open, direct and honest when you are addressing online safety concerns. It needs to be an ongoing conversation that will require parents to engage with their kids constantly. Very few children confide in their parents about cyberbullying. By talking to them on a regular basis, it will encourage children to talk about it, and ask for support and help if they are exposed to any kind of inappropriate material online.

Discover the internet together and lay down a set of rules for internet use in your home    

It can be a huge advantage for both the parent and child to explore the internet together. Surf through websites that are exciting, fun and informative, so that together, you can strike up a positive attitude toward exploring the internet. It will also be of help to sit down with your child and put down a set of guidelines which will apply to the use of internet in your house. Some of the tips you could put down are:

• How to treat personal information and how much of it should be given out (name, addresses, cellphone number, e-mail)
• Discuss when and for how long it is okay for your child to have access to the internet
• How to socialize with others while gaming, chatting, messaging and e-mailing
• Discuss what types of websites are okay and not okay to visit

Use parental controls on all devices

It is essential for parents to turn on Parental Controls and restrictions on every internet-connected device that their child has access to. In most cases, these safety controls are turned off. Every device’s parental controls work in a different way and hence you will need some time to figure them out. These safety controls will filter out explicit content such as pornographic websites and will also restrict kids from downloading inappropriate applications and making use of them.

Talk about the risks involved with meeting online “friends” in person 

Parents should understand that the internet and various social media platforms can be a positive place for children to interact with young people and make new friends. However, for safety purposes and to avoid risky situations, it is crucial to stress that they do not meet the strangers they have met online. Even if they really want to, it must be done when accompanied by a trusting adult or friend. No matter what the situation is, the child must always get approval from the parents first.

Strike a balance 

A recent survey that was conducted shows that teens spend an average of 60 hours a week surfing the internet. It is crucial to create a balance and establish a time limit for internet use in your home. It has been recommended that two hours of screen time in a day is ideal for a child. It will also help to create tech-free zones around the house like the dinner table. Another important thing to keep in mind is that you need to be the adult you want your child to be. Hence it will help to curb your internet use as well.

Encourage your child to respect others; stop cyberbullying 

The internet has an informal code of conduct that needs to be followed. While interacting with other people on the internet, you need to educate your child on the simple ethical rules that apply. This includes using polite language and not abusive words, being respectful, not mocking or harassing others. This will also help them from falling victim to cyberbullying.

Report online content you may consider illegal or objectionable to the appropriate authorities 

It is the parent’s responsibility to ensure the web is free of inappropriate material by reporting it. By doing so, you can help prevent illegal activities online, such as child pornography or attempts by sexual predators to lure children via chat, messaging or mail. There are various service providers who you could get in touch with to report these illegal activities that are encountered on the internet. This way you will not only be protecting your children but also others.

The internet is an exceptional educational and recreational resource for children. There is an assortment of age-appropriate websites for younger children. Parents have to encourage their children to use such sites and avoid the use of services that cater to an older age group. By following these simple steps, your child can explore the internet to its full potential. We would love to hear your views on this subject; please feel free to drop us a comment below.

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