How to keep kids safe online: A guide for parents and kids

Kids are spending more and more time online with some estimating their average screen time above two hours per day. While the internet is a great place to learn, it also comes with its inherent risks, especially for children. From cyberbullying and exposure to inappropriate content to data privacy concerns, the digital world presents kids with both opportunities and dangers.

For a parent, the biggest challenge is to educate their kids to navigate the online world safely and if you are wondering how, here are some ways to keep your kids safe online.

Online safety: Risks faced by kids online

Before we look at how to stay safe online, here are the potential risks that kids face on the internet:

•  Cyberbullying: This is the most common challenge where kids experience harassment through social media, gaming platforms, or messaging apps.
• Inappropriate content: The internet is also home to a lot of easily accessible but not child-friendly content.
• Online predators: Strangers posing as friends to gain a child’s trust is a major risk.
• Scams: Kids are now being tricked into phishing and identity theft through fraudulent links and fake giveaways.
• Screen time: Excessive screen time has proven to affect mental health and sleep patterns.

How to stay safe online: Essential tips for parents and kids

Now that you know the potential risks faced by kids online, here are the tips for parents and kids to stay safe online.

1. Set parental controls

One of the easiest ways to stay safe online is by using built-in parental controls on devices, browsers, and streaming services. You should also enable safe search filters on Google and YouTube and adjust privacy settings on social media to restrict who can see posts and messages.

2. Education about online dangers

Parents can ensure that their kids stay safe online by educating them about the dangers. Here’s what parents should educate their kids about:

• Teach kids to not share their personal information such as full name, address, passwords, school name, etc.
• Make them understand the risk of talking to strangers online.
• Help them understand the risk of cyberbullying and encourage kids to share any incidents.

3. Limit screen time

While screen time is a divisive metric, it can be used wisely to ensure your kids are safe online. With screen time, you can set daily limits on gaming, social media, and YouTube. You can also use these apps to monitor screen habits and ensure your kids are not exposed to malicious apps or websites.

4. Best online practices

In addition to educating kids about online dangers, they must also be taught about best online practices. While these aren’t kids-centric, they will encourage your kids to stay safe online even when they grow older. Here are the best online practices for your kids:

• Help your kids choose strong passwords and teach them to set up two-factor authentication wherever possible.
• Monitor your child’s friend requests and followers to ensure they interact only with known people.

The key to ensuring your kids stay safe on the internet is to create open communication.

Also READ: Cybersecurity checklist: Steps you should follow to ensure your safety online

Encourage your kids to be honest and report any strange or uncomfortable situation. By setting boundaries, educating kids, and fostering open communication, parents can ensure their children explore the digital world safely.