If you’re not constantly thinking about what your children are doing online, you’re failing as a parent. You might think they’re completely safe as they’re sitting in their room doing nothing more than using their mobile phone. The harsh truth is that there are many risks for children online, and as parents, we need to protect them from them.
We’re always hearing of children becoming the victims of cyberbullying or sexual grooming, both of which are stuff of nightmares for parents. On top of that, the internet is full of websites showing adult material, whether sexual or violent.
So, what can we do to protect our children? There are three main tips we’d like to share with you.
Speak to Your Children About Their Online Activity
Always show an interest in what your child is doing online. Regularly ask them what they have been doing or who they’ve been speaking to. The trick is to do this in a way that doesn’t look or sound like you’re checking up on them and that you’re just showing an interest.
Sure, your child might not tell you everything, but as a parent, you could pick up on something they’ve said or accidentally let slip.
Educate Them About Online Dangers
It’s best to be upfront with children about the risks they face online. The more you educate them, the higher the chance they’ll know what not to do and what to look out for. Tell them what to be aware of, not to talk to people they do not know, and not to be scared to come to you if something is wrong.
Use the best Parental Control Apps
Aside from communicating with your children, you need to purchase and use the best parental control app for Android or iOS devices you can find. There are many great apps available that allow you to monitor and manage your child’s internet access.
They can block specific pages and tell you the sites your child has visited, while some will even log conversations they’ve had on social media apps. Furthermore, you can put controls on these apps that limit the time your child spends online, while the best apps have a large database of websites that are flagged as unfit for children.
The Takeaway
Just because a child is at home does not mean it is not at risk. There are many online threats that you’ll not know about unless you take the advice given above. Always show an interest in what your child is doing, educate them and yourself on the risks, and find a top-quality parental control app that allows you to monitor and manage your child’s online activity.
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