Teaching your family about safe internet habits
Thanks to smart devices, we can get onto the internet with just a few taps on a screen. With over 7.2 billion smartphones worldwide, that’s a lot of access – and this means that children are more connected than ever.
While there a lot of opportunities that come with being able to go online, there are also risks. As a parent, navigating the balance between letting them spend time online and locking all the devices away can seem confusing and even overwhelming at times.
You play a crucial role in guiding your children towards safe and responsible internet use. Whether you’re a parent to teens or little ones, it’s vital that you can keep them safe, especially when we’re seeing the effects that all this access is having on children as a whole.
There are ways to manage this, however. To help, here’s a look at how to teach safe practices and get them into good habits:
Table of Contents
Discussing online safety
Start by having honest conversations about their online activities. Ask them which websites they visit, the apps they use, and the people they interact with.
Then, in an age-appropriate way, discuss potential dangers like cyberbullying, inappropriate content, and online predators. You know your child and their level of understanding, so you’ll need to tailor this to suit them, but there are resources like Childnet that are available to help you.
No matter how old they are, emphasise that they should inform you immediately if they encounter anything unsettling. Building this trust ensures they feel comfortable seeking your help when needed.
Implementing parental controls
Use the parental controls available on your child’s devices to manage their online experience.
On iPhones and iPads: You can set content restrictions by navigating to Settings > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions. Here, you can block explicit content, set age-appropriate app limits, and prevent unauthorised purchases.Regularly review and update these settings to adapt to your child’s changing needs.
On Android devices: Google’s Family Link allows you to monitor app usage, set screen time limits, and manage content restrictions. By staying proactive with these tools, you can create a safer online environment for your child.
Understanding and using VPNs
If you’ve heard of a VPN and wonder what it is, you could find this is exactly the tool you need. A Virtual Private Network encrypts your internet connection, safeguarding your family’s data, especially on public Wi-Fi networks.
By using a VPN, you can prevent unauthorised access to your personal information and protect your privacy. This is particularly important when your children access the internet outside the home, for instance in a café.
Educating about secure online practices
Teach your children to create strong, unique passwords and the dangers of sharing personal information online. For older kids, it’s worth explaining how to recognise phishing attempts, such as messages asking for personal details or containing suspicious links. If your children are young, tell them not to click on anything and check in every few minutes and don’t leave them with the device for too long.
Tell your teens to download content only from trusted sources, such as the school portal if they’re doing homework. If they have access to social media, teach them to be cautious about the information they share and monitor their access to social apps until they’re old enough.
By introducing these habits early, you help them develop a sense of responsibility and awareness that will benefit them throughout their lives. These will also keep them safe online.
