Safer Internet Day is approaching on the 7th of February, raising awareness of online dangers and the best ways to make use of the internet. Studies have suggested that around 97% of children aged 5-17 years old use the internet so ensuring your kids stay safe online is crucial.
With this in mind, the experts at Proxyrack have shared 5 ways to keep your kids safe online.
5 ways to keep your kids safe online
1 - Keep track of their time online
Technology has become a standard part of everyday life, with many aspects of daily life moving online. However, it is essential to keep a limit on the time your children spend online as it can lead to sleep deprivation and behavioural problems - try to limit their screen time to under 1 hour a day for 2-5-year-olds, and under 2 hours for 5-17-year-olds.
2 - Set rules and boundaries
Setting boundaries on devices and screen time can be beneficial for your child’s online safety and willingness to share with others. This is especially helpful if they are using family devices such as iPads that are shared amongst family members.
3 - Manage parental and privacy controls
Parental settings and privacy controls are crucial for protecting your children when they’re online. Be sure to log out of your own accounts before giving your children access, and also check the privacy settings of the devices and sites they’re planning on going on.
4 - Be open to talking about online safety with them
Open discussions can be one of the most effective ways of ensuring online safety. Being able to have trusting conversations about what your children are accessing and doing online will reduce the chances of them not sharing issues or dangers they have faced online. It’s also important to talk to other parents about how they approach this and share advice.
5 - Make sure you know who their online friends are
Social media has become increasingly accessible to younger generations, with children meeting and playing with others through online gaming and chatrooms. It is crucial to discuss the dangers of strangers online and ensure they know how to block or report someone if necessary.
Evan Smith, Technical Manager at Proxyrack has shared the following about keeping your children safe online:
“In the growing age of technology, ensuring your children stay safe online is crucial. The internet can be a dangerous place for anyone but especially children, who are more vulnerable and impressionable. The dangers can vary from misinformation, graphic content and communication with strangers, therefore knowing how best to approach the topic of safety is crucial.
Having open conversations with your children can help you determine boundaries and inform them of common dangers they have, or could, experience online - you want to avoid any secrecy and build a trust that will ensure they come to you with any worries they might have.
I would also recommend monitoring their screen time to ensure they aren’t relying on online entertainment too much - by only allowing them an hour or two a day you can help reduce any risks of sleep deprivation or behavioural issues formed through reliance on technology and devices.
Parental controls are also crucial, these can help you feel more comfortable about what it is your children are able to access online - these controls can restrict access to mature content and also certain sites and videos your child may attempt to watch. Therefore, by checking and updating these, you have more control over your child’s internet usage.