6 Do's and Don't's to Keep Kids Safe Online
You want your kids to hang with their friends, but you're the mom and just like their regular playdates, you still need to know where they're going and who they're with when they're online. How can you walk that fine line between being overprotective and being informed?
Use this checklist of 6 "do's and don't's" of cyber-parenting:
Cyber-Parenting Do's:
Cyber-Parenting Don't's:
And, remember, keeping your kids safe by knowing where they are, what they're doing and who they're with is a smart tip to follow whether your child is online or off!
report abuse- DO your homework.
Check out websites that your child likes to visit and put in extra time to review the site's rating by organizations like Common Sense Media.
- DO talk to your child about cyberbullying and online safety from a young age.
If your child is old enough to go online, he's old enough to learn how to be safe and to follow mom and dad's online rules.
- DO praise your child for being cyber smart. Kids crave positive reinforcement so make sure they know they're doing a great job at following your online guidelines.
Cyber-Parenting Don't's:
- DON'T be afraid of invading your child's online privacy.
It's okay to ask your child for passwords or join his social media sites. As the parent, you are still responsible for making sure your child is hanging out with the "right crowd," even if it's virtual!
- DON'T think you're not tech smart enough to monitor your child online.
You don't need to be a techy geek, but try to educate yourself and stay up-to-date about your child's online favorites. Even if you don't have your own Twitter or Facebook profile, learn what your kids are doing online so you can talk the tech talk with them.
- DON'T think you're alone. You might feel clueless when it comes to parenting in the digital age, but there is help out there. Talk to your child's pediatrician, teacher or guidance counselor if you need tips about safe online habits for kids at every age.
And, remember, keeping your kids safe by knowing where they are, what they're doing and who they're with is a smart tip to follow whether your child is online or off!
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