The internet is rapidly becoming part of our children's curriculum at school. Hence, it is almost impossible to deny them access to the internet when at home, as they need it to continue learning, finish their homework, and even interact with friends.
While online access comes with risks, you can keep your children safe on the internet by monitoring their activities and limiting their usage.
Well, that is not all. This article will provide you with detailed tips on keeping your children safe on the internet. Note that these tips are time-friendly and easy to implement.
Keeping Kids Safe Online at home
Part of parental responsibilities is guaranteeing the safety of our children until they become adults. And keeping your children safe on the internet is part of such a responsibility. You sure don't want them to become victims of online vices under your roof. We understand that you may have a busy schedule. So, we have curated these simple steps below to help you promote internet safety at home.
Have open conversations with your child about the internet: As soon as it becomes necessary for your child to use the internet, talk to them about what they are reading, watching and who they communicate with online. You can ask them about the websites they visit and admonish them about what is appropriate and safe for their age. You can also organize in-house sessions (on your free day) to discuss digital literacy. It is essential that they learn about internet safety from home.
Check devices as often as possible: The device your children use at home—either for studying or social interactions—is their first point of contact with the internet. So, you must check these devices and the internet browser before and after using them. This is to ensure that all applications and media on the phone or PC are the ones you authorized.
Use your details to register for all their applications: When downloading applications for your children, use your email address and contact details to register or sign up. This will enable you to control the accounts and their activities completely. That way, all communication, or inappropriate content through email, comes to you before it gets to them.
Monitor their activities: You can supervise your children's activities while using the internet by checking their screens to know what they're doing. Furthermore, you can utilize the parental control option on mobile devices to understand when and how they use the internet. Suppose that is not available on the devices they use. In that case, you can install a parental control application like Norton Family or Qustodio to help you monitor their internet activities, whether or not you're physically present with them.
Learning about internet safety from home is the proper foundation for digital citizenship in every child. And while it may seem challenging to juggle daily responsibilities with keeping your children safe online, remember that their safety should be a priority. The tips above are realistic measures and can help you keep the ball rolling in ensuring their safety on the internet.