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Parents Guide to Protecting Kids Online

By March 9, 2017October 14th, 2020Faith & Learning

If you’re like me, and you use your kids as free tech support whenever you need to configure your wireless router or your TV to play funny cat videos, then it’s probably tempting to let the kids take care of their own online security, as well. That could be a big mistake.

While your kids might be experts at the technology, they’re not experts at evaluating risk.

You already know that, without guidance, children can be easily manipulated into smoking, drinking, speeding, bullying, and, of course, jumping off of cliffs because all their friends are doing it.

Mistakes can cause a lot of damage — everything from expensive ransomware infections, identity theft, loss of friendships to even putting your child’s life at risk.

Just as in the off-line world, you need to provide guidance, set boundaries, and, depending on your child’s age and maturity level, implement some safeguards. You also need to be aware of where the threats are coming from.

10 Things You Can Do Right Away

​1.​ Make YouTube safe for your kids

​2.​ Help your kids set the privacy controls on their social media accounts

3.​ Install anti-virus on your computers and mobile devices

4.​ Set up separate accounts for your kids on your computers

5.​ Set up separate accounts for your kids on your mobile devices

​6.​ Secure your gaming systems

​7.​ Consider using kid-safe browsers and search engines

​8.​ Lock in apps for youngest children

​9.​ Consider using an app that limits the time your child spends online

​10.​ Make sure your kids are only using safe chat rooms

Teach, Educate and Talk with Your Children

11.​ Teach your children not to respond to messages from strangers

12.​ Educate your children about the risks of “sexting”

​13.​ Warn your kids about file sharing

​14.​ Warn your kids about online polls and surveys

15.​ Warn your kids about getting too close to strangers

16.​ Help your children deal with cyberbullying

​17.​ Set a good example

18.​ Set rules about what your kids can share online

19.​ Add your kids as “Friend”

20.​ Set limits on how much time your children can spend online

21.​ Additional resources

Internet Matters: Resources for parents looking to keep children safe online, with age-specific how-to guides, free apps, and device safety checklists. https://www.internetmatters.org/

Family Online Safety Institute: Parenting guides and news and reports about online safety issues. https://www.fosi.org/

Safe, Smart & Social: Social media training guides and safety tips for parents and educators. https://safesmartsocial.com/

Read this article in its entirety and get specific action items:
https://thebestvpn.com/protect-kids-online/

cj@reverent.tv'

Author CJ Halloran

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