10 Tips for Keeping Your Kids Safe Online

The internet. It’s a magical place full of information, tips and tricks, shopping, social media options, and even jobs. Unfortunately, it’s also full of not-so-suitable sites, especially for children. Keeping your kids safe online is an ever-changing task, but as parents, we need to be ever vigilant if we allow our kids access.

Pros and Cons

Obviously, I am a fan of the internet. I run a website, and I like to think that my site is on the helpful side of things for my readers. I use social media both personally and professionally, with different goals for each. I utilize online shopping and manage many aspects of my house online. The internet makes my life easier in a variety of ways.

In our homeschooling, we use the internet for materials, research, and some classes. I also have a network of blogs and groups, as well as curriculum manufacturers, that are my go-to when I need information, resources, or help. The kids use the internet in conjunction with the local library to write reports, research events, and even use games online for learning.

We are connected. Maybe too much so, but we are. It’s strange too because I can remember a time when there wasn’t the internet. When it wasn’t present in almost each and every home. When the phone and the Post Office where the best means of communication, and ordering something meant using a catalog. Today though, virtually every aspect of life can be connected if we want to. You can even order your coffee online and have it waiting for you at the drive up.

The downside, obviously, is that there are less-than-pure sites out there. And those with darker motives, and people looking to exploit, harm, or scare your children. My daughter recently showed me a screen that popped up on her tablet from someone initiating a “chat” (she does not have chatting capabilities on her device). We shut it down and ran a scan, then had a discussion. Her device was checked for viruses, malware, and a host of other problems.

Safety, Security, and Rules

Keeping my kids safe – that is my ultimate goal – but they like to be online. So we compromise. Electronics are limited, in all variety. Whether they want to watch TV, use the computer, or play on a tablet, screen time has a cut-off. The computer is in a central location so we can keep an eye on the sites they are on. Games on tablets are allowed, but games that require a sign-on are not.

Up until this year, none of my kids were allowed on social media. It was pretty simple really. Most social media sites require the user to be at least 13 years of age so we just said no all across the board. But then my oldest turned 13. So we made the decision to allow him on one social site, with some strict rules. No friends we are not friends with. No chatting with people who are not your friends. No clicking on random links. And the big one, no social sites on your own devices. Yup, he can only check his account from the computer in the main room of the house.

He does pretty well with it too. Doesn’t check it daily, and always asks before getting a new friend. He did not want to use a real picture of himself (which I very much appreciated!). And now that he’s on it, he’s finding it’s not that big of a deal.

What’s Best For Your Family

I can’t determine the best course of action for your household is. This is one of those areas where each family has to decide for themselves. It can also be something that is not clear-cut and can vary child by child. Each child is different, and each household has different goals and value systems they are trying to instill.

But the one constant is keeping your child safe. So here are 10 tips I have for you:

1. Keep electronics in a central location. Do not allow your child to be online where you cannot see what they are doing.
2. Understand what games, sites, and connections they are making. Many games that are free to download have chat features. Ask questions, do the research, and understand what you are saying yes to.
3. Have clear guidelines for sites that require creating an account or collect age information, including birthdates.
4. Make sure your children understand clearly what the rules are if they are at someone else’s home. Not all homes have the same rules. For us, I want my children to follow my rules whether they are home or not.
5. Review your child’s activities. Whether they are using a family machine, or their own, make sure you know what they have been doing.
6. Talk to your kids. Ask them about the games they play, the sites they visit, and what they are doing while online.
7. Bookmark approved sites for easy access. This way they clearly know where they can go, and you don’t have to worry about them typing is a site incorrectly.
8. Require parental permission before they visit a new site, download a new game, or try something new. It may get a little tedious, but I would rather be safe than sorry.
9. Connect your email address to their devices. I receive emails letting me know when new items are added to their devices. (As a bonus, this lets me also make sure they are following #8.)
10. Install parental controls on your devices. There is a wide variety of options to choose from, but I think the link here is a great place to start.

For better or worse, the internet is here to stay. Technology – whether its computers, tablets, phones, or the next big thing – all help make access easier and increase our dependence. Pressure to grow up faster or keep up with peers keep kids asking for new items, increased limits, and more freedom. The internet isn’t what makes our kids unsafe though, it’s dangerous people. As parents, we need to be ever vigilant about keeping our kids safe.

Do you have a tip that should be added to my list? Comment below!