How to Keep Your Kids Safe on the Internet
There comes a time when your kid finally grows up enough to use the internet. However, there’s always that looming dread over parents when it comes to the online safety of their children.
Kids usually tend to be more gullible and vulnerable to cyberattacks, which is why it is crucial to keep an eye on them as they use the internet. While you can’t keep a close eye on them all the time, there are certain tips and tricks you can try to keep your children as safe as possible.
Get a Secure Internet Service
The first thing that you should do is to get an internet service that comes with integrated security features. Many prolific Internet Service Providers offer advanced security features and parental controls. Xfinity Internet, for example, offers extensive parental controls on your Internet service. Therefore, looking into Xfinity packages will be a pretty wise idea for you if you wish to keep your kids safe.
Parental controls allow you to keep a check on the websites that your kids are visiting. You can also block out websites that you don’t want your children to open. This includes anything that is indecent or can potentially harm your kids.
Have an Open Conversation With Your Kids
One of the most effective ways of getting through to your child is by talking to them. You must have an open conversation about how using the internet can have both positive and negative effects.
Plus, children can pick up on things a lot faster because of better cognitive abilities and comprehension of concepts. Also, explain to them how they should be an asset to the online community by sharing something positive.
Once you give them an overview of what using the internet is like, still be sure to keep a check on what they do. The longer you keep them supervised, the better.
Explain What a Digital Footprint Is
Be sure to tell your children that whatever they post on the internet is there to stay forever. This is exactly what a digital footprint is. Therefore, your children need to leave a positive digital footprint behind.
Explain how every picture, video, or comment that they post remains there and leaves a trail of information. If they post something hurtful, it could hurt someone’s sentiments and can get them called out. Encourage your children to talk to you if they witness any negative behavior on the internet.
Set a Limit for Screen Time
At first, you’ll feel like a prison warden, but trust me it is for the better. You must set a limit on your kids’ screen time so that they don’t end up spending too much time on the internet. Not only is this good for their health but it is also good for their well-being.
It is suggested that if your child is under the age of 5, then their screen time should be no more than an hour. However, if they are 5 or above, then you can bump it up to two hours but not more than that. This will allow your kids to spend more quality time with you, which is still better than consuming meaningless content on the internet.
If they are using the internet on a smartphone, then you can do so by going into the phone’s settings and setting a screen time limit there. Once the phone reaches the screen time limit, it shows a limit warning and makes it unusable.
Invest in Good Antivirus Software
Not only does antivirus software protect your computer from viruses, but it also prevents spyware and phishing attacks. Children are vulnerable to spyware, in which a hacker with malicious intent can spy on children’s online activity.
Children are also vulnerable to phishing attacks, in which hackers create a very believable login page and once you enter your credentials there, it sends all essential information to the hacker to misuse later. Having a good antivirus can help prevent phishing attacks.
Tell Your Kids to Not Talk to Strangers
There are a lot of activities that your children can do while they are using the internet. This commonly includes using social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and Snapchat. Some kids also enjoy playing online games with other people from all over the world.
However, any online activity makes it possible for your kids to interact with strangers, and you never know their intent. Therefore, it is wise to tell your children to only talk to people that they already know in person. Try keeping a close eye on who your kids are talking to when they are on the internet. If you suspect anyone with abnormal behavior, tell your kids to stop talking to them right away.
A Little Extra Tip
You can teach your kids to be responsible citizens even when they are using the internet. The best way to do this is to report bullies whenever they see one. This will discourage damaging behavior on the internet and your kids will also fulfill their responsibility of spreading positivity online.
