Simple tips for parents to help keep your child safe online

All parents know how difficult and tedious it is to keep track of their children and cause and effect meaning. From the moment the child wakes up in the morning until he goes to bed in the evening, he is constantly on the move. Because of this, parents are often exhausted and by all means try to get at least a few minutes to rest. They are often tempted to turn on the TV or give their child a tablet so they can spend some time in silence.

Unfortunately, we are often busy, and the child can stay behind the screen for hours. Electronic devices can be harmful to children. And we are not only talking about the fact that overuse of gadgets can cause overstraining of eyes and sore thumbs in children. On the Internet, children can be at risk even when they are near us.

Children and electronic technology

To understand the role the Internet plays in our lives, consider a few facts:

95% of children have access to the Internet and i words;
90% of teenagers are registered on social networks;
78% of children and adolescents have smartphones;
52% of children and adolescents admit that they have been cyberbullying at least once;
about 40% of adolescents received obscene messages on social networks;
56% of older children stay online on social media all day;
5.6 million Facebook profiles are owned by minors;
60% of children aged 8 to 12 have mobile phones.
Internet Safety Tips for Kids

Understanding all the threats that are on the Internet makes parents worry. Let’s take a look at a few tips to help prevent the online dangers.

1. Disable unnecessary functions on the child’s mobile phone. This will prevent possible incidents of cyberbullying.

2. Keep mobile phones and math workbooks in rooms where people are constantly. When a child thinks that someone is watching him or may see his phone screen, he is less likely to engage in dangerous activities on the Internet.

3. Teach your child the right online behavior. Starting as early as possible will help you develop the right habits.

4. Limit the time your child spends using electronic devices. Pediatricians and child psychologists do not recommend giving access to gadgets to children under two years of age. Preschoolers and younger students should only use gadgets under parental supervision.

5. Be aware of new internet trends. Try to understand new social networks and determine how they can be dangerous for children.

6. Follow your child on social networks. Sometimes the mere presence of a parent makes a child more cautious on social media.

7. Explain to your child that it is dangerous to divulge personal information online. Online anonymity is an illusion, and anything a child posts or sends to other people can be made public.

8. Make sure that your child adheres to the age restrictions that are set for individual sites. These restrictions are designed to prevent your child from viewing inappropriate content and should be taken seriously.

9. Use special applications to block sites if you do not want your child to have access to them.

10. Agree with your child. Be clear about your expectations and the consequences for breaking the rules. Such a contract requires obligations and on your part – stick to them.

Safety comes first

Today, almost any electronic device can receive a Wi-Fi signal and connect to the Internet. A few years ago, in order to protect a child from the dangers of the Internet, it was enough to turn off the modem or install a firewall on the computer.

Now this is not enough. Therefore, parents have an additional responsibility for the safety of their children online. Follow the guidelines above and you can prevent many of the risks associated with the Internet. The child will be able to safely have fun on the Internet and communicate with peers.