Ten Internet Rules to Help Keep Kids Safe Online
Here are 10 guidelines for parents as they go online with their kids for the first time:
- Don’t post something you will regret later.
- Protect your online privacy on social media.
- Don’t fall for email phishing scams.
- Talk about and deal with cyberbullying.
- Behave online.
- Have different passwords for different accounts
- Don’t download in-app purchases unwittingly.
- Avoid the worst places on the web.
- Don’t become obsessed with the internet.
- Avoid sharing personal information online.
Come to think of it… I think everyone should read through these points. Even adults could stand to brush-up.
Starting and CONTINUING the conversation with our kids about online access is imperative. I still feel like we are in the “wild, wild west” as far as internet consumption goes.
A website I LOVE and know I can count on for excellent, frequent and current information is Commonsense Media. Check out this article on kids and technology addiction.
If there is ONE thing that we parents should keep in mind as we navigate the online space with our kids is just that – we need to do it WITH our kids.
I am not saying we need to be online with them ALL the time, but we do need to be checking on them, talking with them, and as aware as we can about how our kids are getting online… what apps they have and are using, checking on their privacy settings, and even more than KNOW what apps the have – we need to know what these apps do. Sure… that takes some time and effort, but the price we and our children could potentially pay if we decide to be lazy or not care could be painfully high.
