As the weather turns colder and kids are spending more time indoors, many kids are also spending more time on the internet. Besides cyberbullying, online predators, and the temptation to reveal personal information, exposure to inappropriate material is a risk of children spending unsupervised time on the internet. An article from Netsmartz, an internet safety site sponsored by The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, shares:
According to developmental pediatrician Dr. Sharon Cooper, "The more often a person is exposed to potentially harmful materials, the more normal it seems and the more desensitized the person becomes."...In addition to sexually explicit materials, children may come across violent images or hate speech. There are also websites that encourage dangerous behaviors such as cutting, anorexia, and suicide.
For more information about keeping kids safe online, including additional helpful tips and discussion starters for parents talking to the children about these important topics, view the entire article: https://www.netsmartz.org/inappropriatecontent.
Internet Safety Basics
Tips
Children use a variety of online services, and each of these services can have different safety concerns. However, there are some basic tips which you can employ no matter how your children use the Internet.
- Keep the computer in a high-traffic area of your home.
- Establish limits for which online sites children may visit and for how long.
- Remember that Internet technology can be mobile, so make sure to monitor cell phones, gaming devices, and laptops.
- Surf the Internet with your children and let them show you what they like to do online.
- Know who is connecting with your children online and set rules for social networking, instant messaging, e-mailing, online gaming, and using webcams.
- Continually dialogue with your children about online safety.
Discussion Starters
- What are your favorite things to do online?
- What is personal information? Why should you keep it private?
- What could you do to be safer online?
- What would you do if anyone online asked to meet you face-to-face?
- Besides me, who do you feel that you can talk to if you are in a scary or uncomfortable situation?
Inappropriate Content Online
Tips
Thinking about all of the inappropriate things children can find online can be overwhelming. However, there are things you can do to protect them.
- Keep the lines of communication open so children are comfortable talking to you about the things they see online.
- Consider using filtering and monitoring software for computers and mobile devices.
- Teach them what to do if they see inappropriate content. They can turn off the screen, use the back button, tell a trusted adult, or report it to the website or app where they found it.
Discussion Starters
Ask younger kids...
- What do you like to do online?
- Have you ever seen something online that made you feel sad, scared or confused?
- What would you do if you saw something online that made you uncomfortable?
Ask older kids…
- What does the word “inappropriate” mean to you?
- Have you ever seen anything online that you would consider inappropriate? What did you do about it?
- Would you tell me if you saw something online that made you uncomfortable? What can I do to make you more comfortable talking to me about these things?
Online Gaming
Tips
- Know what games children are playing. Ratings sites like ESRB.org and CommonSenseMedia.org can help you decide if a game is appropriate.
- Learn how to use the safety features. For example, does the game have reporting features or moderators? Can players be blocked?
- Ask with whom children are gaming. Learn the usernames of anyone your children play with frequently.
- Discuss what information children are sharing. Tell them not to share personal information like credit card and phone numbers
- Know where children are gaming. You may be supervising your home console, but where else are children gaming? Do they play on mobile devices? At friends’ homes?
Discussion Starters
- Can I play this game with you?
- Have you ever been cyberbullied while gaming? What did you do?
- Do you know what information is OK to share about yourself while gaming?
- Who do you play online games with?
- Has anyone talked about sex while you were gaming or asked you to send pictures of yourself?
