This Christmas, make sure your family is safe online with these essential tips! With the holidays here and school just around the corner, kids will undoubtedly be spending more time surfing the web – so it’s important to take extra precautions. Let us help you out by presenting our top tips on how to keep kids and teens safe while online this holiday season. It’s time to be happy… and safe!
Get to know the technology
If you bought a tech gadget, such as console or mobile device, this Christmas, it’s vital to familiarise yourself with its features and functions before handing it over to your children. Before they start using it, this could include checking the ability to set age limits and install filters to ensure you take the right precautions to ensure your children are safe online.
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Manage screen time
Spending more time at home can mean more time glued to screens, especially if there are new electronic devices. To avoid potential conflicts and ensure everyone is on the same page, it’s crucial to discuss reasonable screen time limits before surprises arise down the road. If you’re worried that your agreements aren’t being followed, many devices and apps now have screen time limits as an option to set to keep younger family members safe online.
Use reporting tools
It is important to inform your children about the features available online to report any harm or discomfort they may experience so that they feel safe. Whether it is through their favorite video game or an official social media platform, teaching them how and where these reporting systems are can provide a necessary level of protection from anything negative.
To ensure online safety and combat the spread of harmful content, users can take advantage of mute or block options, as well as apply filters to filter out unwanted material. Users aged 13 and over also have access to Report Harmful Content for additional advice from cybersecurity experts.
See also: Incognito mode: How to browse the internet anonymously
Discuss internet safety
In addition to parental controls and filters, we need to encourage young people to cultivate their own critical thinking skills when it comes to online safety so they can gain real confidence as they navigate the digital landscape. To instill safer online practices in your children, start conversations about potential scenarios they might encounter online. Build their confidence by teaching them how to ignore unwanted friend requests, leave harmful conversations, and avoid sharing personal information. Building a knowledge base of these wise principles will ensure your children stay safe for years to come as they explore the vast possibilities of the internet!
Technology tool that can be a source of joy and wonder – especially when shared with the next generation. If you’re planning to gift someone special in your life something tech-related this holiday season, take the opportunity to explore it together! Learning about online safety doesn’t have to be solely focused on lectures or classes – rather, use it as an experience for both participants! Spend some quality time understanding how new technology works and learn ways to surf the web safely side by side.
Source: swgfl.org.uk
