Keeping your kids safe online can feel like an overwhelming task. Check out these great tips to help your children stay safe online!
Young children’s use of the internet is a debatable topic. On the one hand, it is a source of information for children, allowing them to develop their intellect vastly. On the other hand, children become susceptible to being bullied, stalked, and accessing information online that is sensitive for a young mind.
A Guide To Keeping Your Kids Safe Online
There are several ways to ensure that children freely surf the internet without worrying in a controlled environment. Today, we will give you a few tips to help eradicate online threats and establish a safe and controlled online environment for your kids to visit.
Set Up a Virtual Private Network
Protecting hackers from reaching your computer via your IP address is vital. This is where a VPN could save the day! A Virtual Private Network (VPN) hides your location and identity and provides many other VPN benefits. The network connects your devices to secure offsite servers. It then keeps your IP and sensitive data secure on an encrypted connection. The hackers and people with mal intentions cannot trace your kids.
You can get a free trial VPN for computers and smartphones, or you can go for a paid, more secure virtual private network. You can also download a vpn chrome extension for ease of use.
Phone Apps:
You must keep tabs on your kid’s online activity early. If they lean slightly toward doing something wrong, you will be able to guide them away from it. Teach your children to build a strong conscience; tell them what is right and wrong on the web at the early stages. They will be able to learn to keep themselves safe.
Install a phone spy app on their mobile to monitor their kid’s virtual world activities. The app will allow you to monitor their GPS location, browsing history, calls, and messages. Discuss with your kids if you find them browsing the wrong content or talking to strangers online. Veer them away from unfortunate incidents of cyberbullying, blackmailing, etc.
Let the Kids Know
The internet allows children to hang out and interact with people worldwide. It can broaden their perspectives and visit far-off places. However, the same internet exposes kids to cyberstalks, child molesters, and illicit content at every corner, ready to pounce and hijack a young developing brain.
Let your children know the dangers associated with WWW. Explain to them how they can keep themselves safe from any activities that have malicious intent. Also, communicate with them; it’s not their fault when strangers approach them online.
They must never respond to unfamiliar persons and bring such incidents to your notice. Establish a non-judgemental, secure channel of communication with them. It will encourage kids to speak openly with you.
Other approaches you can adopt to keep your children safe online include:
- Keep computers in a common area for easy monitoring
- Use parental controls so that children do not accidentally stumble upon content not intended for them
- Set up internet usage and time limits
- Install anti-virus software on smartphones, tablets, laptops, etc.
- Make sure your children ask your permission before they upload any photos or download something
Furthermore, ensure to monitor any social media account your kids might have
Keeping Your Kids Secure Virtually/Online
Even after these necessary measures, someone can still breach your child’s digital security. You can never be sure of people lurking on the internet. Hence, you must insistently keep a hawk’s eye on your child’s online activity. Install secure computing habits in your kids early to certify strong online self-security, and check out this great resource at https://porch.com/advice/children-online-safety.
