8 Ways to Ensure A Safe Online Experience for Your Child - December 2024

The World Wide Web is no fairyland. It is dangerous, uncharted territory for children who stray off the beaten path. So, how do you ensure your kids stay protected from the big bad Internet? Here are 8 tips to give your kids a safer online experience. Install Protective Software This is probably the first line of defence for everyone, even non-parents. A good antivirus software filters out all the virtual rubbish that may intrude on your network. Some people may think most malware are harmless, but some of them, like spyware, steal your personal information. Sometimes children don’t know any better and may click on any website, especially if it previews something they like. Turn on the Family Filter Parental controls are tools and special network settings that protect your children from unwanted content. These can be anything from blacklists, to content filters, to adblockers. You can adjust the degree of parental control you wish to exert on your child. Chrome, for instance, has some good parental control settings and features that can make your job easier. There are dozens of tools you can use, but you need to pay for some of them. Moreover, setting up the more DIY controls may be a bit tricky if you’re not tech-savvy, since it requires some manual tinkering. That said, some of the precautionary measures are easy to bypass, like Google safe search. If your child is smarter than you, they can easily disable it. Just like how most mature sites don’t ask for more proof of age other than a checkbox. Ban or Limit Social Media Depending on their age, children may already know how to create a social media profile. There are kids as young as five and six already posting videos on platforms like TikTok. Social media is rife with negative and obscene content. Hardly appropriate for a toddler or kindergartener. However, it is inevitable that they will eventually ask you about helping them start an account. You can teach your kids about social media when they are old enough to use it. That said, if you want to keep them safe, talk to them about privacy settings. This includes passwords, follows, friends, messages, comments, and posts. You can also discreetly set limits on their account and blacklist certain words from popping up in their messages and comments. Reduce Screen Time One way to decrease their chances of encountering bad content is to limit their exposure to the Internet. If they want to play games, install those that can be played offline. Technology has its place in your child’s life, but you have to monitor their digital health. Spending too much time on the computer or smartphone, even with the family filters, is not healthy. They may be safer with all the precautions in place, but they can still develop an addiction to their devices. Educate Your Child Some kids are able to navigate the ins and outs of the Internet like a pro. However, they may know very little about viruses and scams. So, teach them about suspicious emails and dubious links and to check with you before clicking on any of them. Unless, of course, if they were provided by a trustworthy source, like your child’s school. You need to vet anything else that they may have found online. Keep An Eye Out If you really want to keep your kid 100% safe, then you have to watch them like a hawk. While toddlers are less likely to go on forbidden sites, they may still accidentally be redirected to a bad place. Some apps and software can help you track your child’s Internet use. You can also check their browsing history, assuming they haven’t learned to cover up their tracks. Set Strict Boundaries There will come a time in your child’s life when their curiosity may overpower their common sense. They may be tempted to go on forbidden sites, and these don't even necessarily have to be adult sites, either. There's plenty of violence and profanity on the Internet. Communicate to them the severity of their actions and the penalties that await should they break the rules. Conversely, they should trust you enough to tell you if their acquaintances are involuntarily exposing them to vulgar material. Many kids may succumb to peer pressure. Your child may encounter bad kids who may show them strange and perverted online content. So, set strict boundaries, but teach your child about setting their own. Involve Other Parents If your child spends a lot of time at their friends’ house, then it’s time to get other parents involved. Not all parents may know about parental controls or family filters. So, create a messaging group to disseminate the info. Your child may be safe at home, but they may not have the same protection when they use other people’s devices. Most schools also implement some form of digital learning that involve network use. If this is the case, contact the school, so you can learn more about their online safety protocols. Who knows, you may learn a thing or two. Conversely, if you think the school needs to implement more safety measures, convey what you've learned. You Can’t Protect Them from Everything One thing to note is that these tips aren’t foolproof. Children are getting smarter and more tech-savvy by the day. They were literally born into it. There will come a time when they will be able to elude your precautions. Most kids may eventually want to explore the virtual world and all it has to offer. So, it’s completely reasonable to protect their innocence a little while longer. Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner. 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