Kidzui Blog

Teach kids about Internet safety

No more pencils, no more books, no more teachers’ dirty looks….ahhhh summer! Are you dreading summer break as much as I am?

I have to admit that I’m trying to ensure my kids are VERY BUSY this summer but inevitably there will be down time that will be filled with the Internet. With my two year old, I have some control over what he does with his free time. With my teenage daughter…zip, zero, zilch.

In either case, I try to ensure my kids are aware of the Internet dangers and help them understand how they can protect themselves online. Of course, while my two year old is a little more receptive to these best practices, he has absolutely no idea what I am saying. In the meantime, I’m thankful that we have KidZui to keep him safe while he has fun on the Internet.

Since June is Internet Safety Month, I’ve compiled the top ten tips to protecting your kids on the Internet. If all else fails, change the password on your wireless router on unplug the PC. :-)

Internet Safety Tips

1. Pay attention to what your kids are doing on the Internet. You don’t need to hover when they are online but it’s a great idea to keep computers in a common area rather in their bedrooms. That way kids know that there is potential for you to see what they are doing.
2. If your kids are old enough for Facebook or MySpace, create an account of your own and friend them so you can occasionally pop in and see what they are up to and who they are talking with. I’ve learned NOT to comment on my daughter’s Facebook page (OMG major embarrassment). But when if I do discover something inappropriate, I bring it up in casual conversation.
3. Establish limits with your kids before they get online. We all know how quickly time flies when we’re absorbed in Facebook or catching up on emails. The same holds true for our kids when they are playing kids online games or watching silly kids videos. Determine how much time they can spend on the computer before they jump on that keyboard.
4. Explain to your children that while there are many, many nice people in the world there are a few bad apples who don’t have the best of intentions. They should never chat or email with people that they don’t know personally.
5. Teach them to protect their privacy. Explain that they wouldn’t walk up to a stranger and give them a photo with their age, name, and address. Remind them to not do the same on the Internet.
6. Teach kids to protect the family too. Going on a family vacation for a week? Remind your kids that it’s not a great idea to announce their pre-travel plans but they can share some fabulous memories once you return. I’ve actually seen way too many adults do this and it just opens you up for potential misfortune.
7. Keep your passwords protected and never share them with friends. I hate to say it but their BFF today could be their worst nightmare tomorrow.
8. Tell your kids that they should let you know if they come across anything strange on the Internet. Using .com instead of .gov when visiting the White House website is a common error. Let kids know that they would not get into trouble for these kinds of mistakes but they should understand what to do if they come across a site that makes them uncomfortable.
9. Disney’s Phineas and Ferb video explains some safety rules for younger kids in a format they can appreciate.
10. Sweety High has some great video shorts for teens:

Are you concerned about your kids online? What steps are you taking to protect your children and ensure they enjoy the best of the Internet?

Enjoy!

Tara
KidZui Mom