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We’re living in a technological age and we’re using tech like computers, laptops and the smartphones on an increasingly regular basis. Many of us use these devices to work. Many of us use these devices to socialize. We use them to book appointments, research answers to questions we have, buy products and services and more. Unsurprisingly, kids aren’t exempt from this either. Every day, tech is becoming more and more of an ingrained part of our little ones’ lives. Kids are using devices and internet connections to do their homework, to learn, to play games and more. As you can see, being online can be a wonderful thing! But at the same time, the internet can be a very dark place and it’s not all too surprising that many parents are concerned about their little ones’ use of the internet, or are reluctant to let them online. There are so many threats out there. However, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t allow your kids to use tech at all. Instead, there are ways to help them reap the benefits of the internet age without falling prey to the worse parts. Here’s some information that will help you to set healthy boundaries and keep your kids safe at all times!
Supervise Internet Use
If you’re particularly worried about your little one coming into trouble online, it’s always okay to supervise their internet use. You can make this a joint activity where you help them to play the games they’re playing, help them to find answers to questions they have, or watch shows online with them. Keeping a watchful eye over what your kids are doing online will make sure that they aren’t exposed to anything they shouldn’t be. This is perhaps the safest way to let your child use the internet and tech devices.
Turn Parental Settings On
Of course, as your little ones get older they may want a little more privacy or they may use the internet for longer than you are able to sit around supervising them. In either of these situations, you can help them and yourself by turning parental settings on to your internet connection. Going into parental settings will give you options to block certain sites, such as those containing scary or adult content, and better filter what your child can see online. If they try to access a site that is unsuitable, the content will be blocked. This is a simple step and if you’re struggling to set it up, you can generally call your internet provider and have changes made over the phone on your behalf.
Use Monitoring Software
There are programs and apps out there that allow you to track and monitor your child’s internet usage. For example, you can use an app to monitor Snapchat. This will help you to monitor your child’s usage of apps like this where they could easily become vulnerable. Of course, you need to set healthy boundaries to allow your child some privacy as they grow older, but this is great for younger kids who want to use apps like this for their fun filters and to casually chat with friends.
Set Healthy Boundaries
You’re going to want to make sure that your child isn’t using tech too much. Sure, the internet holds a wealth of information and wonders. But you also want to make sure your child is engaging with other aspects of life that are essential for their overall wellbeing, such as physical exercise. So, you need to set healthy boundaries concerning the amount of time your child spends online. Consider setting up a set amount of time they can spend online or using devices each day or week. Many devices will track usage time, so you can check in and make sure your child isn’t exceeding your recommended use.
Talk to Your Child About Online Safety
Sometimes, simply talking to your child about online safety is extremely important and an effective way to keep them safe. If they are aware of potential threats online, they are less likely to fall prey to them. Many schools cover these topics in their curriculum, but it’s a good idea to run over the basics yourself too!
As you can see, the internet and tech devices have a wealth of positive elements. You just need to protect your children from the less positive aspects of these things while they’re spending time online. Hopefully, some of the suggestions above will help you to keep your kids as safe as possible while they spend time online!
