Online Safety Tips for Parents

The internet is incredible. There are so many positive resources on it and it can be a fantastic learning tool for children. They can study for tests, play interactive games and talk to their friends, but there can also be dangers and risks that they need and you need to be aware of.

Now that the internet can be accessed from a number of devices including phones, computers, laptops and gaming devices, it pays to be even more attentive to what your child is doing online.

1.TALK TO YOUR CHILD
One of the best ways is to talk to your child openly and communicate about the potential dangers of the internet. If they are already using the internet show an interest and let them show you things on the internet. This allows you to ask them loaded questions like, “What is your favourite thing to do online?” or “Thanks for showing me that. Can you tell me how to make sure that no-one can view my personal information? This will allow you to gauge how much they know about the internet and you may even learn a thing or two yourself.

2. MANAGE EXPECTATIONS
Keep the computer in a family friendly public area of the house rather than allow it in the child’s bedroom. Set parental controls on the computer. For example, you can set limits on the hours that your children can use the computer, the games they can play, and the programs they can run.
Decide the rules of using the computer with your child’s input and then set those boundaries. This will make them more likely to follow them.

3. KEEP YOUR SOFTWARE UP TO DATE
It is very easy to open something from someone that you don’t know and this can lead to your computer having a virus on it that disrupts your system or worse, can gain confidential information. Keep the risks minimised by utilising good, modern anti virus protection software.

4. KEEP UP TO DATE WITH THE LINGO
Be aware and understand chat and SMS messages that may be being used. Some common abbreviations that are used in chat rooms include;
A/S/L = Age/Sex/location
CD9 or 9 = Parents are around/watching
CTN = Cant talk now
F2F = Face to face
HAK = Hugs and kisses
ILU = I love you
KPC = Keeping parents clueless
LMIRL = Let’s meet in real life
P911 = Parents are in the room
PAL = Parents are listening
PIR = Parents in room
POS = Parents over shoulder
PAW = Parents are watching
WYRN = What’s your real name

5. NO SHARING OF PERSONAL INFORMATION
Let your child understand to not give out personal information such as their name, email, phone number, address or school to people that you don’t know online. The more an online predator knows about your child the easier it is for them to build up trust and rapport, so that the child feels comfortable giving out the next bit of personal detail.
Screen names should not include their real name and they should not include a photo in their profile. They should be gender-neutral, appropriate, and not contain any information that could reveal their identity.

6. NO SENDING PERSONAL OR EXPLICIT PICTURES
For children it may seem risky or fun at the time, but the consequences of this can haunt them forever. Once an image has been sent it is in cyberspace it is there permanently and they have lost control of that image. The image can be used in many different ways and can turn up on many different types of sites.

7. FACE TO FACE
Explain the dangers and possible risks of meeting people they only know online face to face.
Clearly communicate the dangers and risks and that sometimes the “friends” that they have made online are people pretending to be someone different and that the information they supply may not be true or reliable.

8. BE AWARE OF CHANGES IN BEHAVIOUR
With all the safeguards in place children are still children and will find ways to do things that they are not allowed to do. Be aware of signs that your child may be at risk online.
These have been recommended by the FBI.
– Does your child spend large amounts of time on-line, especially at night?
– Does your child turn the computer monitor off or quickly change the screen on the monitor when you come into the room?
– Has your child becomes withdrawn and isolated from family and friends?
– Did you find inappropriate material on the computer?
– Does your child receive mail, money, or gifts from unknown people?
– Have you seen unknown phone numbers when reviewing the phone bill?

9 LET YOUR CHILD KNOW THEY CAN TURN TO YOU FOR HELP
Encourage your child to come to you immediately if anyone makes him or her feel uncomfortable online or makes requests to meet them in person. Let them know that if they see something online that makes them feel scared or nervous, that it is ok to talk to you about it. They need someone to trust about what may be an embarrassing moment for them.

The internet is amazing and can be a very safe place. Just take sensible precautions to help your child keep safe online.

This article provided by Glenn Stevens. Glenn runs a self defence company called EZ Defence and has authored 2 books. A self defence manual for women and an anti abduction book for parents. He also presents seminars and workshops in schools teaching children anti abduction skills. He can be contacted through his website www.glennstevens.com.au