A Brief Read on Internet Safety for Kids There are countless ways to pass the time online, especially for children. The Internet has a life of its own, constantly growing and changing. As such, online safety should be of high priority for parents and caregivers. The same way children are taught about physical dangers, caregivers should discuss internet safety with their children from a young age. Children are very trusting, making them easy targets online. It is important to equip children with online safety tips such as: Not sharing personal information with anybody from the Internet (including home address or phone number), Not posting inappropriate content (such as nude or distasteful photos or curse words), Define what inappropriate online behavior is (both for themselves and others), Recognizing when someone online makes them feel uncomfortable or pressured, And never meeting face-to-face with anyone they met online. Not only is it important to go over these tips and others with children, but just as important is how we as adults respond. Listen attentively to what your child has to say about the situation, remind them it’s not their fault, be open to answering questions they may have, and if called for, help them report an offensible or dangerous situation. For children, the Internet has always been there, but for older generations navigating social media and other online activities can be challenging. Despite this, adults should do their best to keep up with online trends, games, apps, and social media sites. It’s impossible to monitor everything children do online and because of this, monitoring and discussing online safety is imperative. Establishing clear rules and expectations for online behavior such as never private messaging anyone the child has not met in person, discussing consequences for inappropriate posts, reviewing and discussing what their friends are posting, and being open for children to come to you for questions and concerns instills safe online behavior. Children are naturally curious and seek to find answers in their own, accessible ways. Having open communication with no judgement encourages children to turn to caregivers with questions and concerns instead of seeking answers elsewhere. For other helpful suggestions and tips please visit: Prevention Resources Author: Raquel Buezo, Forensic Interviewer and former Community Educator for Alliance For Children   Alliance For Children | 3609 Marquita Dr, Fort Worth, TX 76116 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | Constant Contact Data Notice Sent by [email protected] in collaboration with Try email marketing for free today!