I LOVE THE ONLINE WORLD!
It can be a wonderful place full of fun, where you can learn lots, be creative and keep in touch with friends and family.
A safer internet isn’t about stopping children from doing everything online, it’s about teaching them ways to have a great online experience.
Just like we put a seatbelt on our kids in the car when they are young, then they learn how to do it themselves as they grow older, then as an adult you can only hope that they continue to keep safe in the car through choice and the lessons they have learned.
A safer internet is not always about restrictions and parental controls, it’s mainly about talking and understanding while using tools available to help have a great experience online.
With my Tech Savvy Mum hat on I have got 12 tips to help keep children safe online and have a great time with all the fantastic things it has to offer.
I like helping parents navigate this online world as let’s face it, trying to keep up with the tech savvy kids is almost impossible!
If you're a parent like me trying to keep up with the kids online, you are not alone.
I hope these tips help.
Here's tip number 1
TALK, TALK, TALK
Talk to your children about what they like to do online.
Which games they like to play, who are their favourite YouTubers and online stars?
This can be fascinating!
Tip number 2
Get involved
Chat to them about their online world.
Be interested, and ask them to teach you how to do the games or apps they like to use.
Kids love to tell parents how to do things and let's face it, children are always being told what to do by us grown-ups.
Tip number 3
Encourage
Encourage your child to tell you or a teacher if they have seen something inappropriate or upsetting online. Don’t tell them off as they are likely to not mention things in the future. Try and react in a calm manner and tell them it’s really good that they have told you.
Ok, tip number 4
Keep it personal
Tell them not to share personal information or their location with anyone they don’t know in real life.
Tip number 5
What's in a photo?
Be aware not to reveal your school badge/uniform or location in a photo if shared online. Also if you share a photo of your child, just have a quick check for the same things.
Tip number 6
Block and report
Learn how to block and report inappropriate content and then teach and encourage your child to do the same.
It's much easier than you think and if you see something that is upsetting please block and report it.
Number 7
Fake news
Mention to them that not everything they see online is real and check they are looking at a trusted source of information. Look for the signs, check the website, the author and question where the information came from.
Tip number 8
We need to learn!
Us parents are going through this for the first time so we need to learn all about the dangers ourselves.
There are lots of guides for parents and carers which are a big help. Internet Matters.org is a great website I would recommend.
Tip number 9
Parental controls
Learn how to set parental controls on the devices used.
Pretty much all of the phones and tablets we use, broadband providers, even subscription TV have options that you can choose appropriate for children. This is not to stop your child from enjoying the online world, but just like you would put a seatbelt on them in the car, parental controls and screen time limits can help when children are younger.
Obviously, as the kids get older, they are tech savvy and can turn these off.
This is where having conversations with them about online safety when they are young, will prepare them for when they get older.
Here's number 10
Create a family contract
Create a family contract that enables you as a family to have screen-free time.
Tip 11
Think before you share!
Remind them that everything posted online can be there forever. People can save and screenshot messages and pictures.
And last but definitely not least, tip number 12
Be kind
Encourage them to be kind online. If they wouldn’t say it to someone's face, they shouldn’t say it online.
That goes for grown-ups too.
I hope these tips helped. Please do share this with other parents and carers.
Have a great time online.
Bye for now.