Safer Internet Day 2023: 10 Ways to Keep Your Kids Safe Online
As the world increasingly moves online, it’s more important than ever to keep children safe from online predators, cyberbullying, and other dangers. Safer Internet Day is an annual event that promotes awareness of these risks and provides resources for parents and guardians to keep their kids safe online.
Here are 10 ways you can keep your kids safe online:
1) Talk openly with your child about their online activity
It’s important to talk openly with your child about their online activity, especially if they are spending a lot of time on social media or playing online games. Here are some tips for starting the conversation:
- Find out what your child is doing online. Take some time to familiarize yourself with the websites, apps, and games they are using.
- Talk about the positive and negative aspects of their online activity. Help them to understand how to use technology responsibly and safely.
- Encourage them to balance their online activity with other activities such as playing outside, reading, and spending time with family and friends.
- Set limits on their screen time and stick to them.
- Monitor their activity regularly. You can use tools like parental controls to help you do this.
By talking openly with your child about their online activity, you can help them to use technology in a responsible and safe way.
2) Keep tabs on their social media activity
In this day and age, it is important to keep tabs on your child’s social media activity. With the rise of the internet, there are many dangers that children can face online. From cyberbullying to online predators, there are a number of risks that your child can encounter if you are not monitoring their social media activity.
Here are a few tips to help you keep tabs on your child’s social media activity:
- Know their passwords
- Check their activity regularly
- Check their privacy settings
- Teach them to be aware of online predators
- Teach them to be respectful online
3) Know the warning signs of cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is a growing problem among young people. It can be defined as the use of technology to deliberately and repeatedly harass, threaten, or embarrass someone.
Unfortunately, it is all too easy for bullies to hide behind a screen and anonymous online identities. This can make it difficult for victims to know who is behind the bullying. Cyberbullying can have serious consequences for both the victim and the bully.
Victims may suffer from anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. They may also skip school, have trouble sleeping, or lose interest in activities they used to enjoy. It is important to be aware of the warning signs of cyberbullying and take action if you suspect your child is being bullied.
First, talk to your child about what’s going on. Let them know that you are there for them and that you will work together to make it stop. Second, reach out to the child who is doing the bullying. They may not realize how hurtful they have.
4) Teach them to never share personal information online
In our digitally connected world, it’s important for kids to understand how to protect their personal information online. Unfortunately, many kids are unaware of the dangers of sharing personal information online and the potential consequences.
In order to keep kids safe, it’s important to teach them about the importance of privacy and to never share personal information online. This includes their full name, address, phone number, email address, and any other identifying information.
It’s also important to teach them to be aware of the ways in which scammers and predators can collect personal information online. By teaching kids to never share personal information online, we can help them stay safe in our increasingly connected world.
5) Show them how to spot fake news?
In the age of social media, it’s more important than ever for kids to learn how to spot fake news. With a few simple tips, they can develop the skills they need to be discerning consumers of information.
First, encourage them to question the source. Fake news stories often come from sources that are not credible. If kids are unsure about the source, they should do a quick internet search to see if the story has been reported by other, more trustworthy outlets.
Second, look at the photos. Fake news stories often include fake or doctored photos. If the photos look suspicious, kids should be sure to check if they’ve been published elsewhere.
Finally, pay attention to the language. Fake news stories often contain sensational language or false claims. If something sounds too good or too bad to be true, it probably is.
By teaching kids how to spot fake news, we can help them become more media-literate and better able to navigate the ever-changing landscape of information.
6) Help them understand the permanence of the internet
It’s no secret that the internet has drastically changed the way we live, work, and play. It has become a staple in our everyday lives and has even reshaped the way we think and learn. The internet has also made it possible for us to connect with people all over the world, which has led to a greater understanding and appreciation of different cultures.
But as parents, we sometimes take for granted that our children understand the permanence of the internet and all that it entails. We assume that they know not to post things that they wouldn’t want the whole world to see because, after all, that’s how we use the internet. But the reality is that most children don’t fully understand the implications of the internet and its permanence.
That’s why we need to have a talk with our kids about the internet and help them understand its implications.
Kids need to understand that once something is posted on the internet, it’s there forever. That’s why it’s crucial to teach children about digital permanence – the fact that anything they post online will remain there indefinitely. It can be copied, shared, and downloaded by anyone in the world.
7) Encourage them to take breaks from screens
It’s no secret that kids today are spending more time in front of screens than ever before. While there are many benefits to this, there are also some risks. One of the biggest risks is that kids are not getting enough physical activity. This can lead to obesity and other health problems.
Another risk is that kids are not getting enough social interaction. This can lead to social isolation and other mental health problems.
So what can you do to help encourage kids to take breaks from screens? Here are a few ideas:
- Get them involved in other activities.
- Set limits on screen time.
- Encourage them to take breaks throughout the day.
- Be a good role model.
- Talk to them about the risks of too much screen time.
By taking these steps, you can help encourage kids to take breaks from screens and stay healthy and active.
8) Set limits on screen time
It’s important to set limits on screen time for kids. Too much time spent on digital devices can have negative effects on kids’ physical and mental health, social skills, and academic performance.
There are many ways to set limits on screen time. One way is to create a media plan that specifies the times of day and week when screens can be used. Another way is to set limits on the content that can be accessed. For example, you can limit the amount of time kids can spend on social media or the number of hours they can watch television.
Whatever method you choose, be sure to explain your reasoning to your kids and help them understand why it’s important to limit their screen time.
9) Model positive online behaviour
The internet has become an integral part of our lives, and with that comes the responsibility to model positive online behaviour. Just as we would in the offline world, we must be mindful of our words and actions when we are online.
Positive online behaviour includes being respectful to others, not sharing confidential information, and refraining from engaging in cyberbullying. It also includes being a good digital citizen by not oversharing personal information and by being aware of the risks of online predators.
We all have a responsibility to model positive online behaviour, especially when we are role models for others, such as kids and teens. When we model positive online behaviour, we are setting a good example for others to follow. We are also helping to create a positive online community that is safe and welcoming for everyone.
10) Report any harmful content to the appropriate authorities
The internet has become an integral part of our lives. It is a great resource for information and communication, but it also has a dark side. Unfortunately, there is a lot of harmful content out there that can be easily accessed by anyone with an internet connection.
This is why it’s important to report any harmful content that you come across to the appropriate authorities. By doing so, you can help make the internet a safer place for everyone.
So, what counts as harmful content? It can be anything from graphic images and videos to hateful speech and illegal activity. If you come across something that makes you feel uncomfortable or shocked, then it’s probably best to report it.
