INTERNET SAFETY TIPS FOR FAMILIES & CHILDREN
The internet is becoming an ever-present part of children’s lives, for better or worse. According to studies from Pew Research Center, 59% of teens have experienced some kind of cyberbullying and one in seven children is contacted by an online predator. Here are some top tips from The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children to make sure your child or Little feel confident and safe while using the internet.
KNOW THE PLATFORMS
Parents, learn from your children. Let them show you what apps they’re using, games they’re playing, and what websites are their favorite. Listen to what children are passionate about. Research the privacy, child safety, and security of common platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat.
BE PROACTIVE
Teach your kids to spot common tricks used by online offenders. In NCMEC CyberTipline reports, the most common tactics used to entice a child online were:
Engaging the child in sexual conversation/roleplay as a grooming method.
Directly asking the child for sexually explicit images of themselves, or offering to mutually exchange images.
Developing a rapport with the child through compliments and other supportive behaviors such as “liking” their online posts.
Sending unprompted sexually explicit images of themselves.
Pretending to be younger.
Offering incentives for explicit content.
ENGAGE
Talk about it!
Your kids might not tell you everything but ask anyway. Regular conversations about safety can go a long way in increasing trust and communication.
Get involved.
Challenge them to a duel. If you have kids who like to play online games, ask if you can play, too. When you respect their interests, they’re more likely to respect your rules.
Don’t pull the plug.
Taking away internet access because they may have made mistakes online doesn’t solve the problem. Talk to them about protecting themselves and respecting others online.
Information adapted from NCMEC. Learn more about Internet Safety for Kids at MissingKids.org/NetSmartz