#MiKidsCan Monday: 4 Ways to Keep Your Child Safe Online
Adriane Davis
| 2 min read
In this day and age, the internet has, in many ways, made our lives much easier. You can do anything online from shopping to managing your bank accounts and even keep in contact with old friends. For kids, it makes doing homework much easier because any information they need is only a few clicks away.
With the internet dominating how kids learn and what they learn, how can you be certain that your child is staying safe on the internet? Here are four ways to make sure your child is taking proper internet safety precautions.
- Implement time limits. Putting a time limit on how long your child is online will make it easier for you, as a parent, to monitor what they’re doing on the internet. If they know that they only have 30 minutes to be online, they are more likely to focus on the task on hand instead of logging into sites that are inappropriate for children.
- Keep the computer in an open space. If at all possible, try to set up the family computer or laptop in a common space like the living room or dining room. Knowing that someone may walk by at any time lessens the risk that they are doing something they aren’t supposed to do on the internet.
- Block inappropriate websites. Block websites that contain mature or inappropriate content. Sometimes an innocent Google search can lead to websites that are unsuitable for kids, but blocking these websites can allow you to know that your child is being protected on the internet.
- Talk to your child about online safety. The most important and effective way to keep your child safe online is talk to them about proper safety precautions. Make sure that they know not to message strangers online, and if they see something strange to let you know immediately. They need to know to never give anyone any personal information on the internet and the importance of thinking before they post something. For more ways to talk to your kids about internet safety, check out some tips here.
How do your kids stay safe on the internet? Share additional tips in the comments below!
Photo credit: John Watson
