How do I protect my son from the dangers of the Internet:
I'm going to walk you through the latest safe browsing tips for kids 12 and under, many of them according to the American Academy of Pediatrics:
Keep an eye on your child's web browser at all times:
This means sitting next to or near your child every time they navigate the jungle known as the Internet, i.e. they have to surf the web in an open area where you can easily see the screen.
Teach them to maintain their privacy and private information:
Always insist that your children never reveal their real names, where they live, where they go to school, or where they play (the same rule applies to any other personal and confidential information).
Take advantage of parental controls in your browser:
Most Internet browsers (including Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Safari, and Internet Explorer) have an Internet Options folder where you can easily set up security safeguards, content filters for language, nudity, gender, and violence, or preferably just allow your kids to use safe browsers made especially for kids.
Stay with your child during their online conversations:
If you allow your kids to chat with friends online, make sure they are real "real life" friends, and you can help kids create personalized, verified chat room nicknames (and Club Penguin online or other memberships in the kids' virtual world) that don't have Their real names and other private data Always keep an eye on their chat activity or better yet, don't let them chat at all.
Don't let your kids shop online without you.
You'll be amazed how quickly children can memorize or write down your credit card numbers, including important 3-digit security codes. If you let them buy something online, enter your financial details yourself when they're not around.
Only allow your children to play games that are appropriate for their age on gaming websites.
Bypass or turn off the Internet:
Now that your kids' internet usage is under control why not make their offline video game habits the option? Start by setting up parental controls on your Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation Vita, or whatever portable game system or console they can't get their hands on.
Online time tracking:
The Australian Guidelines for Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior recommend that children between the ages of five and seventeen spend no more than two hours on screens per day. Therefore, it is important to monitor the time your child, especially young children, spend online, and even to make sure they do not develop bad habits. Get your children to agree to a period time, say 30 minutes per session, and set a timer to go off (don't forget to make the end time non-negotiable) You should also turn off your home Wi-Fi at a set time each night (preferably before bedtime) so everyone has a break from the internet You can also try setting aside some “device and internet free” days in your home to encourage everyone to pursue other, more active, less technology-dependent ways of entertaining themselves.
Stay up to date on social media:
Educate yourself about safe ways on social networks that enable you to give the best advice to your children, for example, sign up for the social networks and apps your children use, learn how to use privacy settings and reporting mechanisms, and then talk to your children about how they can stay safe on social networks, including talking to someone Reliable when they are concerned, and understand the concept of cyberbullying as perpetrator and victim.
Well, in short, if your child uses social networks, make sure they know how to:
- Report inappropriate and/or offensive posts.
- ban someone.
- Maintaining the privacy of information.
Leading by example:
Set a good example and always like the kind of positive online behavior you want your children to use. If they see you or their parent as being careful and respectful when online, they are more likely to follow in your footsteps, and yes of course that includes limiting your own time using the Internet.
To protect your child further from the Internet:
You may not want to instill fear in the hearts of your children or prevent them from experiencing the many educational, entertainment, social and other advantages that the Internet provides, but you must give them the skills and knowledge they need to know how to make the most of them and avoid the dangers, so try these two procedures in addition to the above:
Dialogue about issues:
There are a lot of stories in the news about people misusing the internet and getting into serious trouble. You can share some of these stories with your kids. Kids need to understand the risks, so talk to them about your concerns. But don't make it all negative. There are lots of positive ways to make use of the internet. Also discuss it with your children.
Use technology to build a relationship with your children:
Sending texts or messages through social media to your children can open a dialogue that may not be usual between you two, children today love to communicate using technology so why not join in by understanding how different tools work and then using them to interact with your children. Considering that this technology cannot replace face-to-face contact with your children, so take your child out for ice cream or sit on the couch and talk and have a good time that the Internet will not give you.
In the end, using the Internet is a double-edged sword. Always try to protect your child from it, as you protect him from falling or from bad behavior, and remember that psychological harm may be more severe than physical harm, so there are useful sites that may help you to some extent in controlling your son's activity or even reporting certain abuses But your oversight is the most important.
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Child and Technology