The Internet has become the modern encyclopedia, dictionary, and thesaurus for today's kids. Parents should be aware of online safety and help protect their kids from the thousands and thousands of inappropriate content and sites. Here are some of my kids online safety tips that I use with my 12-year-old.
One of the best tips for keeping your kids safe on the Internet is practicing moderation. Lucky for me, I never had to deal with the Internet with my two oldest children; but I haven't been so lucky with my 12-year-old. As much as she'd like to convince me that all the dictionaries, encyclopedias, and thesauruses on the planet are outdated and, therefore, she needs to do her research online, I've held my ground and assured her that some print material has been able to keep up with the times. She's allowed to use the Internet for school-related reasons — but that's about it. And, this seems to have limited her exposure to harmful situations online.
Social media isn't foreign to me, but neither is the danger lurking within it. Many parents allow their kids to open accounts on social networking sites like Facebook. I, being the "mean, uncaring parent" of a 12 year-old, do not. Well, I did, but when I discovered she was interacting in a way that wasn't good for her and could potentially become dangerous, I pulled the plug on the whole social media experience. If you do allow this sort of Internet interaction, my advice is to watch them and allow it only in moderation.
By limiting the amount of time you allow your kids online, you reduce the chances of them encountering a bad situation. After some kicking, screaming, and pleading her case to my husband, my 12-year-old has come to accept the fact that she is fighting an uphill battle — one in which she will never reach the top.
As a parent, you have to be willing to do the unthinkable and tell your child NO if that's what's best for them. This is never more important than when you're dealing with kids online safety. You've got to do what you've got to do to protect your children.
When the day comes that my daughter is allowed back on social media, the computer she uses will be in a public room and not in the privacy of her own room where it will be hard for me to watch her. I will use every parental control available, and I will be vigilant and watch her use. And, if the need arises again, I will banish her to the world of print to serve her out her punishment once again!
Do you think reducing kids' time online is the best way to keep the safe? Tell us below in the comments section!