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Challenge: Kids and Technology

How do I keep my children safe online? What the security experts tell their kids

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As a parent, you have the responsibility of ensuring the safety and security of your children online. This doesn’t always mean restricting access of internet to your little ones. You should allow your children access to the internet and let them experience all the benefits that come along with it. In the meantime, you will also have to take few important precautions to make sure that they are safe whilst using the internet. Then you will have peace of mind in the long run. That’s because you will know that your children are not exposed to any dangers whilst using the internet.

We all know the best method for you to teach something to your children is to become an example to them. If you can stay safe on the internet, your kids will learn from you. Hence, you will find it an easy task to teach them how to stay safe. On the other hand, you will need to pay special attention towards them and their activities when they’re accessing the internet.

You need to show them what sort of pictures and information is acceptable for sharing on your social media networks, and what you have done in order to enhance the privacy of your social media accounts. Then you can ask or show them how to do the same. When you become an example for the children, you don’t need to go through a lot of hassle when keeping your children safe online. That’s because they will learn the basics from you and your actions.

As a parent, you will need to maintain constant and regular communications with your children. In fact, constant communications can be considered as one of the best steps that you can take in order to keep your little ones safe online. Then they will naturally tell you what they are doing on the internet. If you figure out that they are doing something that they aren’t supposed to do, you must teach them not to engage with it or them; child groomers using fake accounts for instance.

There are many security apps and software that you can install on your devices to keep everyone safe online, and some standard built in security features such as parental controls - find them, learn them and use them to great effect. These features will provide you with a weekly log of all online activities of your children. You will find it an easy task to monitor what your child has done online. These apps can also help you to limit the access to some of the websites on the internet. Giving you that welcome peace of mind with an additional layer of protection, stopping your children from seeing something they really shouldn’t at such a young age. A large number of software and apps are available on the internet make sure you read all the reviews, their terms and conditions before trusting them with your child’s online safety and security.

Being a parent presents many challenges, online security for your children is yet another concern to add to an ever-growing list of modern day problems. You should allow access to the internet to allow for learning and development, but you also must retain control of the content their curious little minds are exposed to, to maintain their innocence, mental health and wellbeing. This advice was recommended by a leading security company in London.

In summary, you should allow your children access to the internet for all the right reasons; education and development. But certainly, restrict their exposure to adult content and social media until their teens, and teach them that there is a darker side to the world and indeed the internet - where not everything is always as it appears or is presented. Teach them about predatory child groomers, teach them the signs to look out for, teach them to protect their identity and location online, teach them not to share inappropriate information or pictures online, to maintain both their and your security.

The above tips can help any parent anywhere in the world deliver improved online protection to their children, a few simple steps and knowledge can keep them away from hidden dangers that can be found on the internet. Therefore, you should spend some time in making sure they have access but are fully protected when online - one less thing for you to worry about!

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