Back in the day, it was a little simpler. Parents would tell their children not to get into a stranger’s car. While still an enormous concern, cyberspace is posing an entirely new set of dangers that need to be addressed in real-time.
Especially considering 88% of kids ages 12-17 own a phone with 80% accessing the internet. The team at SafeHome.org recently released a report / infographic called Keeping Kids Safe in Cyber Space.
Here are 5 tips from the report. To view the full report, visit the links above.
1. Parents Must Be Proactive: The first step for cyber safety is for parents to block inappropriate sites, use a VPN and create a firewall. It is critical to closely monitor your childs online activity and step in the moment something or someone seems suspicious.
2. Identity Theft: Warn Them About Giving Out Information: When a pop-up says you just won a new XBOX, or someone needs your bank account to wire you money, even some adults fall for it. Warn your child never to give out information such as your address, phone number or credit card.
3. Check Social Media for Cyber Bullying: Determine when your child can go online — mornings, evening, weekends, after they showered or finished their homework. Be clear about what activities they can do online: email, do research for homework, listen to music, etc.
4. Warn Them Never to Meet In-Person: Online predators lure children into situations that could result in sexual abuse and other physical harm. Warn young children never to meet with anyone without a parent and older children to do so in a public place.
5. Set Age-Appropriate Guidelines: Determine when your child can go online — mornings, evening, weekends, after they showered or finished their homework. Be clear about what activities they can do online: email, do research for homework, listen to music, etc.
Good luck parents! Safe websurfing, kids!