As parent, keeping your kids safe online can feel like a full time job. The internet is everywhere — from toys to games to i-gadgets.

At ShadowSafe, we often hear how parents are becoming more focused on managing the time their children spend online. From homework on iPads, to the Xbox, the early-age adoption of social media, or even Apple’s new ‘Arcade’ service… our kids can connect to the internet in many, many ways.

This brings a set of new challenges as parents to introduce and advocate a healthy balance between the digital and the physical.

Like the physical world (look both ways before crossing a road), the internet poses threats and dangers that must be navigated through rules and boundaries that protect ourselves and others on the receiving end.

In a recent survey by Norton, it was observed that globally, 60% of parents allow their children access to the Internet before age 11. Even though 78% of parents agree that children today face more online risks than children five years ago, only 50% check their children’s browser history and 46% limit access to certain websites and apps.

From privacy, to bullying, to identity — there’s lots to unpack on this topic. Today, we’re highlighting just a few of the many lessons our kids should learn when living in an online world…

LESSONS FOR KIDS

Lesson 1: Privacy Is Important

The first things kids should learn is how important it is to keep their personal information online secure. Encourage them to never give passwords, add friends online they don’t know face-to-face, or share any personal details when online.

Socialising online also has its risks. Teach your kids that not everyone online are who they say they are — that identities can easily be masked. If your child receives a message that is unpleasant or confronting, they should not engage and report it to their parents.

Lesson 2: Think Before You Click

Human memory forgets, the internet does not. What you say and do online can and likely will be recorded forever, even after you press delete. Teach your kids how nothing gets deleted on the internet — not even on Snapchat!

Bring awareness that their online actions can cause negative consequences down the track.

Lesson 3: Bullying is not okay

Online bullying can have a devastating impact on kids, their identity and how they interact socially online and in real life. Talk to your child about the importance of being a good online citizen and how to spot cyberbullying when it happens. Reassure them that if they experience bullying, they should let you know and that you will be there to support them.

Examples of bullying:

abusive texts and emails
hurtful messages, images or videos
spreading nasty online gossip and chat

TIPS FOR PARENTS

Tip 1: Secure your kids accounts

If your children have social media accounts, check their privacy settings. On Facebook/Instagram the default settings can expose more information than you’d like. Change their settings to the highest level of privacy, disable location services on apps, and teach your kids to not accept friend requests from strangers.

Tip 2: Set House Rules

Create some house rules for engaging the web, games, apps and devices. Ask your kids to agree to the rules, knowing the consequences of breaking them. Ensure screen time is a positive and valued experience, by using it as a reward for great behaviour.

Tip 3: Use Parental Controls

You can utilise software to monitor and limit what your child/children can see and do online with their devices. This can include:

Blocking access to specific websites, apps or functions — like the ability to buy things, or enable webcam.
Filtering content — such as adult or sexual content.
Monitoring your child’s use of connected devices — with reports on the sites they visit and the apps they use.
Creating usage time limits to remove access after a set time (ensuring a healthy bed time).

Microsoft and Apple have their own parental control features built into their operating systems. For windows, it’s called Microsoft Family. For Mac, it’s called OSX Parental Controls. For iPads and iPhones it is called Screen Time.

Final Thought — Lead The Way

As parents we can demonstrate positive behaviour to our kids, whether it is cybersecurity, speaking nicely online or managing screen time — practice what you preach. Apply rules like no phone at the dinner table. By avoiding double standards you’ll create a healthy culture of technology in the home they can follow and model.

Keep the conversation about technology open. Engage your kids and talk about their favourite apps, games or websites together. Ask them regularly about their online experiences, who they are talking to and whether they are having any issues.

How to train your kids to be Cyber smart