We live in a digital world. And good or bad – we can’t ignore its impact on our daily life. Be it personal or professional – the virtual world has become quite an inevitable part of our life. What is more, it has been playing a crucial role in making our children more and more tech-savvy, smarter, and prompter. But what is a situation of concern is – when kids have access to the internet, they exposed to so many things that may not be age-appropriate or healthy for them!!! So you can keep your child safe, here are some smart tips for you!!
The drawbacks associated with social media
In this digital age, parents must stay vigilant regarding their children’s online presence. You know that kids are susceptible to embracing things that they find exciting instantly. Completely unaware of the risks, they sometimes open up to a ‘bad’ virtual world. For instance – you may be already acquainted with child misuse on the internet?
Children are like a big sponge absorbing everything they are exposed to and are emotionally more vulnerable. That is why once they are entirely into bad things or in cyber traps – as parents, it will be quite hard to manage them or recover them for you.
So what are you going to do to secure your kids? Listen up; Smart kids need smarter parents to tackle them! Since you can’t completely keep your kids away from the internet, here are some super preventive tips to stay your kids safe on social media!!!
Handy Tips to safeguard your kids on social media
Are your children already using social media? Here are some tips that will safeguard your kids from predators, cyberbullies and other risks.
1. Know more about social media
Gone are those days when the only social media sites were Facebook and Myspace. In the current era, you will prefer choosing the age-appropriate sites for your children. Some of the most in-demand social apps and websites suitable for kids and teens are WhatsApp, Snapchat, Instagram, Tumblr, Pheed, Kik, etc.
2. Set an age limit for your child regarding when they can start using social media
Most social media websites require users to be thirteen or older to create an account without the permission of their parent – reports the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).
3. Give a regular check to your child’s privacy settings
Once your children have a social media account, you should stay vigilant about keeping their privacy settings updated.
4. Keep the profile of your child private
Most social media sites provide options to make the account closed. This is a crucial step that will keep the content in your child’s profile private.
5. Make sure they are not posting personal details
Posting your private details such as phone numbers, address, or check-ins, is a big no-go option. Make your children aware that sharing such information online can be quite risky.
6. Please do not allow them to post photos or videos that can risk their safety or jeopardise their character
Talk to your kids that they should not be posting any videos or pictures that convey a wrong message. Such posts can compromise their safety as well as their character.
7. They should be choosing a secure password
Choosing a stronger password for their social media account will assure better protection. Let them know about it.
8. Never allow them to receive friend requests from unknown people
Are you kids yet aware that there are many people out there who use social media with a wrong intention? Many people stalk people and steal their information to harm them. Therefore, don’t let your kids accept a friend request from unknown people.
9. Set rules regarding their social media use
Establish rules or guidelines from the very start of their social media use. It will help you develop positive habits for your child on social media. However, setting up too strict rules won’t be suitable since it may make your kids secretly trying to break them. Set up standards that will empower your kids to make the right decisions on their own.
10. Keep an open line of connection with your child
It will be impossible for you to keep an eye on your kids’ activities on social media 24/7. Therefore, guide them and make them feel that you are doing all these for their wellbeing. Make them realise that monitoring them all day all night long doesn’t mean you are trying to control them.
It will let your kids stay open regarding everything happing with your child online. Ask them to let you know whenever they get messages, friend requests, or invites from unknown persons. Let them know about the consequences of misusing social media.
Also, ask them if they are already having any trouble online or if someone is teasing or harassing them. These can be the signs of cyber-bullying.
So, as you can see that maintaining an open line of communication with your kids can keep most of the hassles at bay, still, as parents, since you need to play smarter, you should keep all these handy tips in mind.
Highly energetic post, I enjoyed that bit.
Will there be a part 2?
Today, I went to the beachfront with my kids.
I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She put the shell to
her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside and it pinched her ear.
She never wants to go back! LoL I know this is completely off topic but I had to tell someone!