Internet Safety Tips for Parents
In today’s society, the internet has become a part of every aspect of our lives, including our children’s lives. At InfoWest, we understand a parent’s need for protecting their children from the potential dangers found throughout the internet. Here are some tips to keep your children safe on the internet.
Tips for kids:
Whether they are playing games or watching Bluey, kids find entertainment through the internet, but it also comes with some risks. Keep the risks to a minimum with these tips to ensure your kids’ safety. We recommend using InfoWest Connect Plus to help keep your family safe.
- Parental Controls: Parental control is a tool that allows parents to choose how their child can use the device, which can be set up through the settings app on the phone. Create restrictions through parental controls to restrict content, manage app store purchases, limit screen time, and access to specific apps. There are also a variety of different apps available that can help add restrictions to the device.
- Online Strangers: Stranger danger applies to not only in-person interactions but also online. Share with your kids the importance of not interacting with strangers or sharing personal information over the internet, including name, address, or school. Part of this includes strangers using artificial intelligence to change their identity.
- Encourage Communication: Encourage your kids to tell a trusted adult if they see any content that is scary or confusing. This can create open communication for their safety, allowing an adult to block inappropriate content if needed.
Tips for teenagers:
As kids get older and begin to want more privacy, it might be harder to protect them from the internet. However, there are still some precautions as a parent you can make that will allow your teenager both safety and more freedom.
- Open Communication: Engage in a discussion with your teenager about their online experience. In this conversation, remind them of the dangers of interacting with strangers online. Also, ensure your teens that you will always be there if they have any questions or concerns regarding the internet.
- Strong Password: Share with your teenager the importance of a strong password to protect against things like identity theft. Additionally, highlight that they should never share their passwords, even with a friend.
- Digital Footprint: Remind your teenagers of their digital footprint, which is the information/data left through their interactions of posting pictures, videos, comments, or replies. With anyone, including future employers, able to view this content, it is important for teens to be smart about the digital footprint they create.
Have any questions or want additional safety tips? Contact The Internet People and get better internet today.
