Yesterday was Safer Internet Day – a global initiative aimed at promoting safer and more responsible use of online technology.
As a mum with kids who have cellphones, tablets, computers and gaming consoles, the issue of online appropriateness is something I am acutely aware of.
A debate about whether to allow my son online connectivity so that he can game online with his buddies is still raging in our home.
While I have to concede the internet is an essential and valuable resource for me, I am also aware of its dangers – especially for the vulnerable or innocent. And as my children have begun utilising the internet more and more, I’ve had to give serious thought to how I can guide them in using it responsibly.
Because it’s not practical to completely ban kids from the online world, it’s essential to look at the alternative – teaching them more responsible habits, and teaching yourself to be more vigilant.
Google SA offers the following tips on fostering a safer internet in your household:
Talk, talk, talk
Have frank discussions with your family about online safety, the rules and expectations around online use, what sites are or aren’t appropriate, and the consequences of breaking the rules.
It’s a no-brainer that kids should feel comfortable talking about online safety – it ensures that they will have no reservations about coming to you when they have questions or are unsure of how to handle difficult situations online.
Participate
ParticipateThe most effective course of action is to get involved.
Think of it like this: you’re allowing your child into a public playground with all kinds of possibilities and threats – you wouldn’t let them out of your sight. The internet is no different – you need to use technology together, and learn about it together.
The younger your kids are, the more strongly you will need to participate in their web use. This may involve more than simply installing a parental control on your home browser.
Stay up to date
Many adults are not fully aware of what new devices and apps can do.
If your kids are old enough to own their own devices, it’s best to understand what’s installed on their cellphones, tablets and gaming consoles, and of course, what they’re capable of.
Safe browsing
The internet has a number of protocols that can help you protect your computer and its access to less desirable parts of the web.
Simple searches for online safety will bring up a host of tools available to parents to help them safeguard their kids.
I looked up the Google Safety Centre which is a comprehensive site to help you understand online safety and where to start in securing the computer/s your kids have access to.
Key to safe browsing is setting up safe passwords and impressing on your kids not to share them with anyone.
Make sure your children develop a habit of signing out of online accounts.
Privacy
PrivacyAs soon as kids begin accessing the internet, they should be taught exactly what kinds of information should never be revealed online.
Names, addresses, details of family and friends etc – predators feed on this information.
Kids are taught about “stranger danger” from a young age at schools. This approach applies to the web more than ever.
Familiarise yourself with the privacy settings on sites you as well as your children use, and use the settings to decide who can see content before you post it.
Again, talk about what is appropriate to share on social media sites.
Take note of age restrictions on some sites – they’re there for a reason.
Guides
Encourage responsible online communication by teaching your children that if they wouldn’t say it to someone’s face, they shouldn’t say it online.
You also need to guide your kids on what to do if they feel uncomfortable with an experience on the web. Cyberbullying, for example, has become a serious issue, and may have legal implications.
Assuring your child that they can tell you when something feels wrong is very important. Talk, talk, talk…
In general, parent must stay active and involved. Technology and the way we use it is evolving, so it’s important to stay up to date and to review and revise your ground rules as you go, and as your kids grow.
Error: Contact form not found.
Looking for a great web host, try Hostking
Have you ever heard of second life (sl for short). It is essentially a video game where you can do anything you want. sl is literally my second life (pun intended lol). If you want to see more you can see these second life websites and blogs
I like what you guys are up too. Such smart work and reporting! Carry on the superb works guys I?ve incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it will improve the value of my web site
Hello there. I need to to inquire something…is this a wordpress weblog as we are thinking about changing across to WP. Furthermore did you make this template on your own? Many thanks.
Well, this Thursday I read through a couple of your posts. I must say this is one of your better ones. Yessir!
Do you have a spam issue on this site; I also am a blogger, and I was wanting to know your situation; we have created some nice procedures and we are looking to trade strategies with others, why not shoot me an e-mail if interested.
Very nice blog post. I certainly appreciate this site. Keep it up!
My brother suggested I might like this website. He was entirely right. This post actually made my day. You cann’t imagine simply how much time I had spent for this info! Thanks!
Youre so amazing! I don’t expect Ive check out anything similar to this before. So great to locate somebody with some original thoughts on this subject. realy thanks for starting this up. this site is something that is needed on the web, a person with a little creativity. helpful task for bringing something brand-new to the internet!
I am frequently to blogging as well as i truly appreciate your content. The write-up has really peaks my passion. I am mosting likely to bookmark your site as well as maintain checking for new information.
extremely wonderful post, i certainly love this website, keep on it
An impressive share, I simply provided this onto a colleague that was doing a little evaluation on this. And he in fact bought me morning meal due to the fact that I discovered it for him. smile. So let me rephrase that: Thnx for the treat! But yeah Thnkx for investing the moment to discuss this, I feel highly about it and also love finding out more on this subject. When possible, as you end up being experience, would you mind updating your blog site with more details? It is extremely useful for me. Huge thumb up for this article!
Spot on with this write-up, I absolutely think this internet site requires far more factor to consider. I?ll most likely be again to read a lot more, many thanks for that information.
There are some interesting times in this short article yet I don?t recognize if I see every one of them facility to heart. There is some legitimacy yet I will take hold opinion till I consider it even more. Great short article, thanks and we want extra! Included in FeedBurner also
The following time I review a blog site, I hope that it does not dissatisfy me as high as this set. I imply, I understand it was my choice to review, but I actually assumed youd have something intriguing to say. All I hear is a lot of grumbling concerning something that you could repair if you werent too active looking for interest.
With thanks! I value it!
I am typically to blog writing and i actually appreciate your material. The short article has really peaks my rate of interest. I am mosting likely to bookmark your site and also keep looking for brand-new info.
This really answered my problem, thank you!
Best view in the town !
Love watching movies !
Love watching movies !
Best view in the town !
A MMF threesome on a boat from Remy
Hello my friend! I want to say that this post is amazing, great written and include almost all important infos. I’d like to peer more posts like this .
Love watching movies !
Best view in the town !
There are certainly a great deal of information like that to take into account. That is a wonderful indicate bring up. I use the ideas above as general motivation but plainly there are inquiries like the one you raise where one of the most important thing will certainly be working in truthful good faith. I don?t know if finest practices have actually arised around points like that, but I am sure that your job is clearly determined as a level playing field. Both children and also girls really feel the effect of simply a moment?s satisfaction, for the rest of their lives.
Best view in the town !
You should take part in a contest for one of the best websites on the net. I am going to recommend this site!
Love watching movies !
I am typically to blogging as well as i actually value your content. The short article has truly peaks my passion. I am going to bookmark your website and keep looking for new details.
I found your blog website on google and also examine a few of your early blog posts. Continue to keep up the excellent run. I just extra up your RSS feed to my MSN Information Viewers. Looking for forward to learning more from you in the future!?
This is the appropriate blog site for anybody who wishes to find out about this subject. You understand so much its nearly tough to say with you (not that I actually would want?HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a topic thats been written about for several years. Terrific things, simply great!
There are absolutely a lot of information like that to consider. That is a wonderful point to bring up. I supply the ideas over as basic motivation yet plainly there are questions like the one you raise where the most important point will be working in honest good faith. I don?t recognize if best methods have actually arised around things like that, yet I make sure that your work is plainly recognized as an up for grabs. Both boys and girls really feel the effect of simply a moment?s satisfaction, for the remainder of their lives.
This web site is truly a walk-through for every one of the information you desired concerning this as well as didn?t understand who to ask. Peek below, as well as you?ll certainly uncover it.
Nice post. I find out something more challenging on various blog sites day-to-day. It will certainly constantly be boosting to check out content from various other writers as well as practice a little something from their store. I?d favor to make use of some with the content on my blog whether you don?t mind. Natually I?ll give you a link on your internet blog. Thanks for sharing.
Hi there, There’s no doubt that your website may be having browser compatibility issues. When I take a look at your web site in Safari, it looks fine however, if opening in IE, it’s got some overlapping issues. I simply wanted to give you a quick heads up! Aside from that, excellent website!
Would certainly you be fascinated in trading web links?
I uncovered your blog website on google and inspect a few of your very early blog posts. Remain to maintain the great run. I just added up your RSS feed to my MSN Information Viewers. Looking for forward to learning more from you later!?
The next time I review a blog site, I hope that it doesn’t disappoint me as long as this one. I indicate, I know it was my selection to read, but I in fact believed youd have something fascinating to say. All I hear is a lot of whimpering about something that you can take care of if you werent too busy searching for attention.
The following time I review a blog, I hope that it does not dissatisfy me as high as this. I indicate, I understand it was my option to review, however I actually thought youd have something intriguing to claim. All I hear is a bunch of grumbling regarding something that you can repair if you werent too active trying to find interest.
I?d have to check with you right here. Which is not something I normally do! I enjoy checking out a message that will make people believe. Likewise, thanks for permitting me to comment!
A fascinating discussion is worth comment. I believe that you ought to compose a lot more on this topic, it may not be a frowned on subject but normally people are insufficient to talk on such subjects. To the next. Cheers
Wonderful post. I discover something much more difficult on various blog sites everyday. It will certainly constantly be promoting to review content from other writers and exercise a little something from their shop. I?d favor to use some with the material on my blog site whether you don?t mind. Natually I?ll give you a web link on your internet blog site. Many thanks for sharing.
An impressive share, I just provided this onto a coworker that was doing a little analysis on this. As well as he in fact acquired me morning meal because I found it for him. smile. So let me rephrase that: Thnx for the treat! Yet yeah Thnkx for spending the moment to discuss this, I feel highly regarding it and like reading more on this topic. If possible, as you end up being expertise, would you mind upgrading your blog with even more details? It is extremely practical for me. Big thumb up for this article!
garden sheds can provide comfort specially in the hot summer months.
Hey there! I simply wish to provide a substantial thumbs up for the terrific details you have right here on this blog post. I will certainly be coming back to your blog for even more soon.
Interesting blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere? A theme like yours with a few simple tweeks would really make my blog stand out. Please let me know where you got your theme. Appreciate it
When I originally commented I clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and today when a comment is added I purchase four emails using the same comment. Possibly there is in any manner you possibly can eliminate me from that service? Thanks!
This is the best blog for any individual who wishes to find out about this subject. You realize so much its virtually difficult to suggest with you (not that I in fact would want?HaHa). You definitely put a new spin on a topic thats been blogged about for years. Great stuff, simply fantastic!
Good job on this article! I really like how you presented your facts and how you made it interesting and easy to understand. Thank you.
I just want to say I am newbie to blogging and seriously savored your web page. Likely I’m want to bookmark your site . You certainly come with superb articles. Appreciate it for revealing your blog.