The internet can be a scary place, even for an adult, let alone a child.
As parents, we want to keep our children safe at all times – that includes their online activities as well. Unfortunately, banning your child from using the internet is next to impossible nowadays. They use it for school and to socialize with their peers, so they’ll always find a way to get ahold of it, no matter how much you try to prevent it.
What you can do, as a responsible parent, is find ways to protect your child while they’re using the web.
Here we’ll be telling you how.
1. Educate your children
First and foremost, you’ll need to let your children know why you’re being so restrictive when it comes to the usage of the internet in your home. No matter how young they are, they need to learn the dangers of the online world before they’re allowed to explore it.
Now, don’t make it sound like the most dangerous thing on the planet Earth, as your children are probably seeing you use it on the daily basis. Talk to them like they’re adults, and you’ll quickly see them becoming more responsible.
2. Show them reliable, age-appropriate websites they might enjoy using
While you may not be able to monitor every second of your child’s internet activity, you could still show them some fun websites and pages that will keep their interest for a while.
It’s a fun way to ensure your child is exploring the safe parts of the internet while making you seem like a „cool parent“ at the same time.
3. Get a powerful antivirus for all of their devices
Let’s be realistic, we’ve all checked out a link or two that we should never have clicked on, especially in the early days of the internet. Your child will eventually make the same mistake.
To ensure their data is kept safe and protected from all kinds of malware and ransomware, make sure your kids have powerful antivirus software installed on all of their devices.
4. Monitoring apps
Children monitoring apps such as Chamspy Pro are packed with features that will help you keep your child safe from all kinds of internet safety risks. They can filter the content available to your children, allow you to track their phones, learn about their contacts, and so much more.
If your kids are a bit older, for example in their early teens, make sure you discuss this with them before installing the app. Otherwise, they might feel disrespected, which will prompt them to find ways to disable the application and all of its features – do not underestimate the tech-savviness of the younger generations!
5. Pay attention to your child’s behavior
If your child has been acting strangely after they’ve been online, don’t hesitate to check their internet activity. It may feel like a complete breach of trust to them at that moment, but their safety should always be your top priority.
They may be dealing with cyberbullies or they’re made to feel uncomfortable by strangers on social media, which is something that could have serious repercussions to their mental health and well-being in the future.
