Safer Internet Day is celebrated in over a hundred countries and the day offers the chance to promote safer and more responsible use of online technology and mobile phones among children across the world.
The internet is such an important part of children's lives....They use it for school work, to socialise and to play games....There are risks associated with new technologies and it is essential for young people and us as parents to understand how to reduce these risks....
Keep your computer in an open area - If your computer is in a place where you can easily keep an eye on the computer activity it will deter a child from doing something they know they are not allowed to do and it also gives you the opportunity to intervene if you notice a behavior that could have negative consequences.....
Set rules - Make sure your child knows the boundaries of what they are allowed to do on the computer, how long they are allowed to be on it and what sites they are allowed to visit....
Use parental controls - Computers and even mobile phones have parental controls. You can block selected websites and email addresses by adding them to a filter list, you can set time limits and prevent your child from searching certain words....You can also contact your internet service provider (ISP) or mobile phone operator to find out about any child safety measures they offer.
Teach your child to protect their privacy - Teach them to never to give their name, phone number, e-mail address, password, postal address, school, or picture without your permission....Not to open e-mail from people they don't know and Not to get together with anyone they "meet" online.
Be involved - Ask your child to show you their favourite things to do online and show an interest in what they do....This will give you a much better idea of what they're getting up to and it gives you a way to support and encourage them while learning what they know.....
Know who they are speaking to - If they are using email, instant messaging or chat rooms try to get a sense of who they are chatting with and whether they actually know the person in real life....Explain to your child that it's easy for people to lie about themselves online, like their age, for example, because you have never met them.
Keep lines of communication open - Let your child know that they can approach you with any questions or concerns about problems they may have encountered on the computer.
Know the age limits - Stop your children from signing up for a Facebook profile or YouTube page before they're 13 which is the minimum age....
Stay safe....
Some great tips here Kim. I remember growing up in the days of dial up and internet being fairly new in the home. My mum would let me use the computer in her bedroom while she was downstairs, she had no idea what I got up to or that I sometimes got into some dangerous situations. Nowadays I think (and hope) parents are much more aware.
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