7 Cyber Safety Experts Share Tips For Keeping Children Safe Online
The prevalence of the internet access and mobile phone technologies has made the internet safety the biggest concern for the parents. Protecting your kids from the potential online dangers means safeguarding them from online predators and keeping them from sexually explicit content and online behavior potentially enough to put them in trouble. The defensive measures such as setting limits, monitoring kids’ online activities, installing parental control software and having frequent discussions can help in keeping your children safe online. However, deciding on the most efficient internet safety solution for your kids and family can be time-consuming. To help you figure out the best internet safety solutions, we have shared here the words of the internet and cyber safety experts. Read on to know what they suggest parents keep their children safe online.
1.On-Going Conversations about Technology – Frank Gallagher
Kids make blunders but most often they do not report to their parents or caretakers when something bad happens online, said the cyber safety expert and Executive Director of Cable in the Classroom (CIC) Frank Gallagher in a conversation with a known internet safety platform. He further explained saying kids think that their parents won’t understand and will take their phones or computers back. It is hard to protect them from online hazards when they are not allowing you into their online lives. So, the most important thing to keep kids safe online is to have an ongoing discussion with them about the digital technologies. These conversations will help you to teach and enforce your family values to help your kids be responsible technology users.
2.Build a Relationship of Trust – Aaron Harder
Aaron Harder, the owner of Entropy Multimedia, is of the view that communication is the most important factor. He suggests parents talk about websites kids visit, about how to politely communicate with someone online, about how to respond to personal questions, about how to block ads or objectionable content and about everything adults know but kids do not know yet. Communication helps you develop a healthy relationship with your kids so they come to you on encountering any problem without worrying about losing their gadgets.
3.Develop Sound Analysis and Judgment – David Harley
The IT security researcher, David Harley, suggests parents to teach their kids to trust their own judgment rather than relying on technical solutions. But you should also help them in developing sound analysis and judgment. Encourage your kids to experiment with things, ask questions and participate in positive discussions.
4.Be Calm and Listen to Kids’ Concerns – Jayne A. Hitchcock
The cyber-bullying expert, Jayne A. Hitchcock, advises parents to listen to their children and do not freak out if they say someone is bothering them online or they clicked a link which directed them to a sexually explicit site. Kids are often afraid to be punished by their parents for reporting such incidents. Always listen to your kids’ problems calmly and try to resolve these issues a.s.a.p. Remember, it is not your child’s fault but it would be yours if you do not help them.
5.Digital Monitoring and Parental Controls – Michael Kaiser
The National Cyber Security Alliance, Michael Kaiser, encourages parents’ involvement with their kids in the cyber world. Keep track of their internet use to raise good digital citizens and address internet safety issues like bullying and child predation. Start with positive discussions about the online behavior; discuss the social media privacy and risks associated with sharing personal information online. Parents should be aware of the parental controls for the online devices, age-appropriate filters and ways to monitor and block online activities.
6.Online Privacy Matters a Lot – Christine Marciano
Christine Marciano, the President of Cyber Data Risk Managers, suggests parents protect their kids’ online privacy as the internet is an open book and whatever a kid says, does or posts online, remains there forever. Google your kid’s name and discuss if you find any inappropriate thing associated with your kid. This helps to protect your kid’s online privacy and ensures their digital trail won’t harm them in the future.
7. Stay Updated with Technology and Internet Safety – Donna Hughes
There is no need to be a Ph.D. in internet technology to be a great cyber-parent but what you need is the commitment to be updated with the technology your kids use and the internet safety issues, as asserted by the internationally known internet safety expert Donna Hughes. Parents should have the knowledge and resources to protect kids from cyber-bullies, online predators, pornography, and cyber-security risks related to social networking, online gaming, and mobile phones.
We hope the experts’ tips will be helpful in learning the ways to keep your children safe online.
About the Author:
Nicki is a technology writer, health care adviser and also digital parenting expert. She writes on latest trends, gadgets and her work on spy app for android phone. To know more about her follow on twitter @Nickimarie222.
Image Credits: Lucélia Ribeiro via Flickr.com under the Creative Commons Legal Code
