The internet is hugely important these days – from educational usage to social networking sites, there is something for everyone to be doing online, and most people are connected 24/7 through their mobile phones. So it’s only expected that children love to get online too! From talking to friends to games websites and educational games, there is a wide range of things your kids can do online, although its vital you keep them safe while they browse.
Place the computer strategically. It should be somewhere where you can monitor what your child is doing – what sites they are visiting, and who is talking to them. This will help you to notice if your child is talking to someone they shouldn’t be, and stay on top of what sites your child is visiting at the moment.
Limit computer time. Don’t let your child build a dependancy on being online all the time – have a set amount of time each day where your child can go online, and after this they spend time with the family, or doing homework. Never allow your child to use the computer upstairs or before bed – if you use a laptop, make sure this is stored somewhere secure to ensure your kids aren’t tempted.
Set up online security. There are many different brands for this, some which are free, and some which you pay for. These can serve different purposes, such as blocking unknown IMs, blocking certain websites, only allowing access to named websites, ‘ending’ the session after an alloted time and tracking what your child gets up too – the websites visited, and the IMs recieved and sent. Set this up to a level you are happy with.
Finally, talk to your child. Explain that people on the internet may not be who they say they are online – refrain from giving details which may scare your child off the internet, however. Ask your child to tell you if they are unsure about what someone has said to them, or if someone that they do not know talks to them, and reassure them that they will not be in trouble. Remaining vigilent is essential for protecting your child.
