Maintaining online safety for children has become a significant part of modern-day parenting, with research showing that about 84% of parents worry about their children’s safety online. This phenomenon is due to most children’s obsession with the internet, exposing them to a broad range of threats and people. Nevertheless, there are some helpful steps you can take to protect your children from the dangers of the online world. Consider these points below.
- Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
VPNs are relatively useful in protecting your children from many online dangers. Many devices, apps, and networks have geo-tagging features that broadcast your current location, making your children easy targets for many predators. A VPN will mask your children’s identity online, making them untraceable to hackers and other undesirable third parties. Therefore, you should consider integrating VPN technology into your home network to establish a secure connection that protects your kids online. Many devices in your home would benefit from VPN protection, so check out sites like troypoint.com to discover how to integrate your favorite smart devices onto a safe network to protect your kids.
- Restrict screen time
Experts recommend limiting the amount of screen time available to your children as a practical way of controlling their exposure to harmful content online. A 2014 study revealed that parents who monitored their kids’ screen time reported many positive social, academic, and physical changes. Setting rules regarding how long your kids are allowed to spend behind their computers and phones can help protect them from the dangers of the internet. You can also put computers in common areas of the home, with the computer screen visible to all to rob them of the privacy needed to access inappropriate content.
- Parental controls
Parental controls are a practical way for parents to take the initiative regarding their children’s online safety. A reported 39% of parents use parental controls to filter, block, or monitor their kids’ online activities. While these controls are not 100% efficient at shielding children from online dangers, many parents agree that they restrict the breadth of search results available to children. You can try several parental control apps and features to protect their smartphones and computers from many online threats. Features like Google’s Safe Search will block sites with inappropriate content, and you can try them to prevent your children from accessing such material online.
- Discuss online dangers
Talking to your children about online safety is vital to validating all other aggressive measures you can implement. Kids are very internet savvy, so it is advisable to start educating them at a young age. Have an open, honest conversation concerning threats like malware, sex offenders, and dangerous websites. Simple tips such as reminding them to report any bullying or stalking, not to engage with or meet strangers, and not share their personal information may help protect them from many dangers. Teaching them the value of online reputation is also vital; by reminding them that the internet is not private, they will be more careful about their conduct in public forums.
