Allowing your child to have full access to the internet without restriction or supervision would be like letting them loose in the middle of Lagos. Not a good idea, and not a safe bet. And while the Internet can be a great place to watch harmless cat videos, research school report databases, and play educational and fun games, it’s also a common place for phishing, social media abuse, and scams. That’s why it’s up to you to teach your kids about what’s safe and what’s not — and know what to look out for yourself.
Talk About Cyberbullying
According to Wired Safety – a leading internet safety, education, and aid organization – cyberbullying is on the rise in eight years. And from there it reaches far and wide, with 43 percent of youth ages 13 to 17 reporting experiencing some form of online bullying in the past year. Help your child learn how to deal with cyberbullies (and not be one) by taking a “graduation” at the Carnegie Cyber Academy — an interactive educational tool created by Carnegie Mellon University to teach proper Web etiquette and how to protect yourself from “Cyber Bullies.”
Set Limits
No matter how old your child is, setting limits on the internet is important. The types of websites your children visit, the search engines they use, and the content they have access to should all play into the limits and restrictions you place on your devices and your internet provider. Enough Is Enough has compiled a list of child-safe search engines that are more reliable than Google Safe Search. Additionally, many cable and Internet providers, such as XFinity and Comcast allow you to block websites by URL, keyword, and device from accessing them. If that’s not enough, there are services like Kids’ Internet that provide a safe, age-appropriate online experience for children available for a monthly fee. If you allow your child to use a mobile device, use a mobile device that is suitable for children.
Don’t Save Any Lessons For Later
From the first time you log in with your kids, take every opportunity to encourage safe habits and open up a dialogue about the Internet. According to Enough Is Enough – a non-partisan, non-profit organization that has been a national leader in Internet safety law and education since 1994 – by the age of five, children are more than capable of using computers and phones to access the Internet. At this age, they also “take media content literally,” which means it’s a great opportunity to teach them what to avoid and how to avoid it online. Teach children this age to never click on ads or sidebars, how to create a safe username and password, what information is safe to share online, and basic privacy practices. Watch this online safety video at BrainPOP Jr. together and talk about educational lessons.
Teach Kids to Treat the Internet Like the “Real World”
A good lesson to instill in children is to be careful and watchful on the Internet just like in real life. Challenge them to ask themselves, “Would I say this or act like this to a stranger?” and, “Would I be comfortable with this if a responsible adult was looking over my shoulder?” This allows children to acknowledge that everyone is a person behind a computer screen.
Monitor Screens
Just because you have restrictions or bans on devices doesn’t mean you shouldn’t keep an eye on your kids’ online activity. Enough Is Enough encourages families to keep all devices in a shared or open space in the home — like the living room. Make sure you know who your child is communicating with online, and their online history.
Internet Safety for Kids: A Cheat Sheet
- On average, teenagers spend 5 hours and 38 minutes online every day.
- This list of search engines includes sites that are safe for children of all ages to use.
- Teach your children to interact online with the same care and caution that you teach them to use every day in the “real world.”
- Children are most adept at using computers and phones to access the Internet by the age of five.
- Use your device and service provider to block inappropriate websites, keywords, and search returns.
- Keep communication and discussion about Internet use and safety open with children.
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