Over recent months, YouTube has come under fire for not taking online security of children seriously. In response, they rolled out massive changes to their platform, making child security one of their top priorities.
Unfortunately, most of the internet is not designed for the safety and security of children. As a result, much of that responsibility falls on parents and guardians. If you have children in your care, internet safety is probably one of your top priorities. This blog will be filled with tips and information on how to ensure your children are safe on the internet.
Teaching Children Internet Safety
The first step towards keeping children safe online is helping them understand the risks and dangers of the internet. Of course it’s up to the adult to decide exactly how much information to divulge to a child in regards to unsettling information, but it’s absolutely crucial for children to understand that there are, in fact, dangers lurking across the web.
Be sure to include all of the basics of internet safety, even if you assume your child has heard them before. This includes things like, “Don’t talk to strangers,” and, “Don’t give out personal information.” Don’t underestimate these basic safety tips, as they can make all the difference for a child.
Keep Access to Devices in a Public Place
Setting boundaries in terms of when and how your child can use the internet can also be a helpful way to reduce risk. Until your child is of a certain age, it may be a good idea to limit their internet access by forcing them to use a computer in a central room of your house, so you and your family can keep an eye on what they’re doing online.
Granted, it may be difficult to keep children from accessing the internet behind closed doors, it’s still worth it to ensure they have to follow safe internet rules when at home. If you’re growing concerned about your child’s internet activity, you can also check their internet browsing history if the device is in a room you can easily access. Of course, it’s crucial to respect a child’s privacy, but safety comes first.
Set Safety Restrictions
Child-safety controls are tools that are utilized by parents all over the world. These tools enable parents to restrict inappropriate content, amount of time spent online, and prevent children from viewing harmful websites.
Children are naturally going to be unhappy about these restrictions, but it absolutely is for their benefit. You can also utilize these safety restrictions on television, blocking certain channels and rating levels.
Keeping children safe on the internet is an absolutely crucial responsibility for any parent or guardian. Following the tips in this blog and keeping open lines of communication is a great place to start.
Categorised in: ransomware, Security, spyware