Childhood and the internet are inseparable these days due to the educational and social aspects. It’s from a very early age that children start using the internet to learn, play, socialise and entertain.
With its benefits also come the risks, which make cyber safety for kids a side that you cannot ignore. It’s easy for children to fall in a trap because the internet world is too widespread, which makes it difficult to navigate smoothly for a young mind. It’s important to understand how parents can create a safe internet experience for their children.
Use digital safety tools
Parental controls and monitoring software and apps support online safety, but they cannot replace the communication between children and parents. The kids need to be informed that these tools are not to limit their freedom but to provide them a layer of security from unwanted content.
The children should understand the role that these tools play in providing critical security controls to the parents. With proper communication, they’ll know that content filtering, app restrictions and the proper SafeSearch settings are for their benefit. Parents must also update themselves with the latest trends and technical information before they communicate with the children. There are resources available on the official sites of security apps, which parents must regularly go through.
Set clear digital boundaries at home
A set of clearly defined rules is important to provide children with an environment where they know what is expected from them. Simple things like which apps and websites are within an acceptable category, how various devices are to be used and what behaviour they must exhibit online are some of the rules you need to set for them.
Do not force them lest they might resist. Always strive to reach a common ground and make consistent efforts if your rules are not followed right after you implement them.
Teach children how the internet works
Surface-level knowledge of the internet does not serve any purpose. Children need to know the intricacies of how the internet works. Teach them how technology for kids functions and how the internet plays a role within that environment.
Some of the key ideas parents need to explain include:
- Personal data is vulnerable. It can travel beyond the device, so careful sharing and storage matter a lot.
- Photos and messages are saved permanently even when they are deleted on the device.
- Strangers online are mostly not who they claim to be, so any sort of contact with someone unknown, especially if it looks suspicious, should be avoided.
Build security habits early
Digital security ideas are not something that can be postponed for a later stage. The time for talking about internet security is always ‘now.’ Basic things like what makes a password strong, how to lock devices properly, recognising unsafe links and avoiding unwanted downloads, avoiding contacting numbers provided on pop-ups and invites to join groups, like in the Telegram app, are some starting points.
Make online safety look like a normal routine so that children find it easy and interesting to adopt right from the time when they start using the internet.
Guide children’s online choices actively
Telling children what to avoid is just one side of internet safety. The other side is letting them know what to choose. Train them about how various online activities are to be chosen. Let them engage positively instead of instilling fear in them by talking about what to avoid.
Some of the helpful concepts to define are:
Screen time balance – Let them spend some extra time on screen if they want to, but teach them how to create a mix of online learning and creative play. At the same time, teaching about the importance of offline time is equally important.
Content awareness – Help them recognise the difference between age-appropriate content and harmful content so that they know how filter tools work and where manual filtering is required.
Digital manners – Being mentally sharp when dealing with others online and sharing the right data with the right people on the right platforms should be the core of internet safety for children. Also include how to respect their friends and other people generally and in terms of privacy when online.
Lead by example
For children, it’s safe to say that what they see is what they become. So apply leadership principles by being calm, patient and exemplary. Do not mindlessly scroll or unnecessarily use your phone when children are around you. In fact, learn to avoid such things even when they are not around. Model values that you would want to see in your children.
Conclusion
Creating a safer internet experience for children is an ongoing process rather than a one-time action. Lead from the front by setting examples, educating them and providing a free environment where communication is seamless. With this, you’ll ensure their online safety and also set a good internet behaviour pattern for them.