Staying (and Playing!) Safe Online
We know it can be intimidating to teach your kids about Internet responsibility and safety while educating yourself on how to make the online experience fun, safe and rewarding for your whole family. Here are our top five guidelines to help you take this challenge head-on!
What You Can Do
1. Surf Together!
Get involved with your daughter’s online experiences. Ask her to show you the sites she likes. Read Rules and Privacy Policies together, and make sure you are always on the same page. Bookmark sites that you know offer good, safe fun and encourage her to visit those links often. Ask questions. Make choices together. Keep the lines of communication open. This is not just a smart approach, but absolutely essential to her overall safety online.
Get involved with your daughter’s online experiences. Ask her to show you the sites she likes. Read Rules and Privacy Policies together, and make sure you are always on the same page. Bookmark sites that you know offer good, safe fun and encourage her to visit those links often. Ask questions. Make choices together. Keep the lines of communication open. This is not just a smart approach, but absolutely essential to her overall safety online.
2. Establish and Enforce Rules.
Just like real playgrounds have rules, digital playgrounds should, too! Set parameters about online etiquette and decide how much time your kids should spend surfing the Web. Consider putting the computer in a central room so that you can monitor use more easily. Agree to a list of family guidelines and then post a copy that you've all signed near the computer for easy reference.
Just like real playgrounds have rules, digital playgrounds should, too! Set parameters about online etiquette and decide how much time your kids should spend surfing the Web. Consider putting the computer in a central room so that you can monitor use more easily. Agree to a list of family guidelines and then post a copy that you've all signed near the computer for easy reference.
3. Be Proactive.
Take action! It's up to you to understand the Internet from both a parent's AND a kid's point of view. Do your research. Check out your daughter’s favorite sites. You can also gain insight from local librarians, teachers, community centers, and other parents. There are online communities and forums for parents that you can join, too.
Take action! It's up to you to understand the Internet from both a parent's AND a kid's point of view. Do your research. Check out your daughter’s favorite sites. You can also gain insight from local librarians, teachers, community centers, and other parents. There are online communities and forums for parents that you can join, too.
4. Be Approachable.
Create an environment in which your daughter feels secure confiding in you. Encourage conversation - let her know that she can talk to you freely about all her experiences, virtual or not. If she tells you about something that made her uncomfortable or upset online, give her kudos for approaching you and then teach her how to avoid such problems in the future. One of the best ways to establish "net smarts" is to make it a joint, ongoing quest with your child.
Create an environment in which your daughter feels secure confiding in you. Encourage conversation - let her know that she can talk to you freely about all her experiences, virtual or not. If she tells you about something that made her uncomfortable or upset online, give her kudos for approaching you and then teach her how to avoid such problems in the future. One of the best ways to establish "net smarts" is to make it a joint, ongoing quest with your child.
5. Take Advantage of Parental Control Tools and Software.
There’s software on the market designed to help you maintain a safe online environment for your kids. Check with your Internet Service Provider and/or online service about what they have available to help maximize kid-friendly, kid-safe online experiences.
Good luck! May you and your daughter safely weather the ever-changing tides of the online experience. Surf's up!
There’s software on the market designed to help you maintain a safe online environment for your kids. Check with your Internet Service Provider and/or online service about what they have available to help maximize kid-friendly, kid-safe online experiences.
Good luck! May you and your daughter safely weather the ever-changing tides of the online experience. Surf's up!
