All kids these days use the internet, but for an autistic child, the appeal of communicating and socializing online, especially by text, is even more vital. After all, there is none of that tone, intonation, facial signals, or body language to worry about that can be confusing to those living with autism.
Of course, this means that, just like other children, it is our responsibility to educate and guide children with autism on how to stay safe online. A topic you can get more detail on below.
Keeping Children With Autism Safe Online
Many parents feel as if they are less knowledgeable about technology and the internet than their children are. Unfortunately, this can create a situation where a child is given a device and left to fend for themselves regarding safety.
The good news is that even if you don’t consider yourself the next Bill Gates, there are some simple and actionable things you can do to protect your child while they are online.
Keep Electronics in Common Areas Only
The first of these is to set up a system of monitoring what they are doing, something that you can facilitate by insisting all devices are used in common areas where you and other adults can monitor what is happening.
Parental Monitoring Software
You can also keep an eye on what your child is up to online by installing monitoring software like apps on their devices or phones. Such apps will give you information about their actions, who they are talking to, and what they view online. All things that can help keep them safe, which you can use to point out if they are doing something that threatens their safety online.
Set Boundaries
Finally, clear and consistent boundaries of where and when your children can go online can help avoid a lot of trouble in the long run. Indeed, setting up a system where you hold devices for safekeeping and give them out when it is time for them to be used is preferable. You can even get screen time tokens to help clarify when it is screen time and when it is not.
Educate your child on safety
While it may not be the easiest of conversations, properly educating your child on internet safety is vital.
Sure, things are a little different here than when it comes to educating neurotypical children. The reason is that those with autism need the time to process and practice what they have been taught. Expecting them to remember everything at once is not realistic.
Communication is Key!
Having regular communication with your child will go further than anything else. When your child knows you are willing to talk about both the good and evil, they will share information about topics you might not think of. In those moments, you can help direct them in the right ways to handle situations as they occur.
Know What to Do When
In particular, it is essential to focus on what steps to take if someone tries to contact them and asks them for personal information or pictures. It’s also essential to educate your child about what type of content and posts are suitable for sharing online and what are not.
Social Skills Practice
Finally, it can also be partially helpful for children with autism to have practice dealing with social situations. When they come across posts from others that they don’t like, these are great opportunities to learn where or not to respond and how to respond.
Keeping Children With Autism Safe Online
We hope this guide helped you learn more about keeping your autistic children safe online. For more excellent autism parenting advice, keep exploring our website, and follow us on social media!
