Internet usage amongst young people has become a hot topic for parents in recent years. In fact, you might be wondering how you can feasibly keep a proper eye on your child’s Internet usage, particularly as they can gain access to it from various devices and in different locations. While parental controls are a fantastic way to manage the content your child is faced with or able to use, on some level you will also have to depend on a reasonable education and open communication within your family unit to keep your child out of trouble on the World Wide Web. Here are some tips from a sixth form in Hertfordshire.
It would be wise to take some time to educate yourself before you try and talk to your child about Internet safety. After all, there is no point attempting to address a topic that they probably know more about than you. There are various resources, including books and articles online, that can help your understanding of matters such as cyberbullying or privacy. Once you feel like you have enough information, try and broach the subject with your child in a casual manner, on a regular basis. If you sit them down and give them an hour-long lecture, they might feel resentful and may possible not take in anything your saying. Instead, aim to subtly reinforce the things they should and should not be doing online every once in a while.
Make sure your child is aware of the basic rules you’d like them to follow online, such as which apps and websites are off limits. They should also know to never share personal information online, such as your home address or any passwords, and to never talk to strangers or meet up with people they’ve only spoken to online. Of course, you may not wish to talk to them about paedophiles and other dangers of the web until they’re a little older, but it’s certainly important to let them know that sometimes people pretend to be someone they’re not online in order to inflict harm at a later date.
Don’t be afraid to contact your child’s school for some additional information on how to teach them about internet safety if you feel it is necessary. The school will probably have their own safety policies when it comes to such matters, as they too are responsible for your child’s wellbeing.
