Keeping our kids safe online is something that most parents see as important, yet often, parents do not know where to begin. With the ever-changing world of social media, apps, and technology, it sometimes feels like it would take a full time job worth of research to keep up.
The statistics tell the haunting stories of what could happen to our children with the click of the wrong button. 1 in 5 children have been sexually solicited online. Estimating 45 million children online between the ages of 10-17, that is almost 7 million children.
Given these facts, wouldn't a few simple steps go a long way in your parenting?
- Set Clear Boundaries for Your Kids- Kids need guardrails. Just like the guardrails on the side of the interstate keep us from falling into danger, we must set guardrails for our children. Guardrails could be anything from screen time to downloading apps to participating in social media. Though guardrails may not seem fun to construct, they are key for keeping our kids on track.
- Have Frequent Conversations with Your Kids about their Technology- Conversations are essential in the process of parenting your kids with technology. Your kids should feel safe coming to talk to you about what they see and experience online. This conversation begins with you. Take an active interest in what your kid is doing on his or her phone. What games are fun? Who are these new friends on social media? What funny video or meme did he or she see today? As you make tech conversations a normal part of life in your home, your kids will be more likely to talk to you when something questionable comes across the screen.
- Teach Your Kids to Be Smart Online- Your kids need to realize that not everyone online is who he or she may appear to be. Encourage your kids to not add people on social media who they do not know in real life. Explain to them the importance of not giving our personal information (name, address, phone number, school, grade, schedule, etc.) out online. Help them understand that the internet is a broadcast platform to the world and that some things should not be placed on a billboard for the world to see. Teach them that things posted online can come back to impact them and their opportunities later in life.
Technology and the Internet are great tools for learning, growth, and connection. As parents, we must not miss our opportunity to be connected to our kids as they seek to process technology and the Internet. We are here to guide and teach them. Let us not simply get lost in our own phones and engage in these important conversations with our kids.