TeK Tip: Help your kids stay safer in the digital world – Tips

Are you worried about how much time your kids spend online?? Although many parents try to create healthy digital habits in their families, finding a balance is not always an easy task. Many find it difficult to be role models for their children and to follow the rules they set for the younger ones themselves.

It is important to establish rules with account, weight and measure: both for adults and for the youngest and experience shows that, sometimes too restrictive environments can bring a false sense of security and added problems.

At SAPO TEK we have already talked several times about the use of parental control modes that can help make your kids experience with technology safer. In How to TeK, you can see how to apply these systems to restrict access to content for adults on social networks like TikTok or on platforms like YouTube, not forgetting the Google Play Store, Windows 10, or even consoles like Nintendo Switch.

We suggest that, before applying any form of parental control, talk to your children, in order to explain to them the reasons that support the decisions that will be taken.taking the opportunity to talk about situations that may seem harmless to the youngest, but that can become dangerous.

O eBook Parents, Children & Technology, from Centro Internet Segura, explains that respecting children’s rights online and enabling them to thrive in the digital environment are fundamental aspects of positive digital parenting. Here It is important that you guide your children through conversation and trust, also offering real-life experiences as an alternative to digital activities.

Taking into account the recommendations of experts, we have gathered in the gallery below a set of useful tips that you should always keep in mind.

Click on the images to see some tips to help your children be safer in the online world

Know the recommendations in detail:

– Instead of making direct restrictions, which can result in increased problems, choose to guide the younger ones to a proper use of digital toolsso that children can learn from you.

– Make sure the platforms your children access are age-appropriate, whether websites, social networks or online games. Educate yourself about them by researching trusted resources and asking other parents.

– Talk to your children about the risks associated with browsing the Internet and reinforce the importance of not sharing personal information, making the youngest understand that not all people are trustworthy in the online world and that, whenever possible, they should only communicate with people they know in the real world.

– Check platform privacy settings that their children attend, making sure, for example, that they do not allow access to personal images and videos.

– The youngest also have the right to privacy and “eavesdropping” on your conversations is a strategy that can end up having a more negative result than expected, resulting in a breach of trust. So you should make sure your children have the confidence to talk to you, or another trusted adult, if something serious happens.

– Use parental control modes in order to guide the youngest in a responsible and safe online navigation.

– Making rules is key and, in addition to considering the needs of your family, it is important that you involve your children in the process. You should explain to the youngest your expectations, for example, in relation to the time they spend online, as well as what happens when they do not respect the defined limits. Also note that in addition to time spent on school-related activities, children should also have time for social and leisure activities online.

Editor’s Note: This suggestion was originally published in February 2022 in connection with Safer Internet Day and has now been revised and expanded.