Everyone uses the internet these days…especially our kids. Digital safety is more important than ever, so here are Tutor Doctor’s tips for protecting your child on the internet.
Due to the prevalence of online scams, the Federal Trade Commission operates an excellent free resource parents can use to stay informed: Protecting Kids Online. Here are some of the key points parents and guardians should discuss with children:
Cyberbullying
Just because physical bullying may be less common these days, online bullying – commonly known as cyberbullying – continues to be a major problem in schools. We’ve discussed this on several blogs in the past, but the important thing to know is how to recognize the signs of cyberbullying and what you can do to address it. For more information, check out our Parent’s Guide to Preventing Cyberbullying.
Mobile phones
Three years ago – in 2021 – research found that 31% of 8-year-olds already owned a smartphone. The FTC recommends that parents become familiar with their child’s phone and its features, specifically the options that allow safety controls. Recommended tools include limiting internet access, teaching how to use emergency buttons, adjusting privacy settings, and using GPS technology to provide real-time locations to trusted guardians.
Device security
While the internet is a wonderful source of information and knowledge, it’s also home to a lot of malicious characters. Financial scams are more rampant than ever, and if that’s not enough – viruses and malware exist to steal your information and damage your devices. Many assume that younger generations’ familiarity with technology makes them more resistant to scams, but this isn’t necessarily true. According to recent reports from the FTC, 40% of fraud loss from Gen Z and younger Millennials were attributed to frauds originating on social media.
Our best advice is to teach your kids basic privacy and security guidelines. As a few examples: never giving out personal info (Social Security numbers, account numbers, etc.), always using strong passwords and keeping them secret, watching out for common scams, and being skeptical of – in the words of the FTC – “free stuff.” Which leads us to…
Media and content
For many individuals, the internet is their sole source of entertainment. The FTC makes an excellent point about being weary of free content – especially downloaded games and software. Although many services give the impression of being free, it’s a good idea to remind your kids that they really aren’t – which is precisely why they are legal. Platforms like Netflix, Disney+, AppleTV, Spotify, and YouTube all rely on either subscribers or ad revenue to operate.
We’re certainly not saying free content doesn’t exist, because the internet is absolutely a treasure trove of zero-cost media. For instance, one can enjoy all nine of Beethoven’s symphonies on the Internet Archive for free, along with countless other media libraries which include classic films and music. Our best advice is this: simply remind your kids to be skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true. If it’s the newest superhero movie that’s currently only playing in theaters, it’s probably safe to say it’s not a legitimate download!
Texting
Most children today are very comfortable texting as they have grown up their whole lives with the technology available to them. The FTC recommends that parents also become comfortable texting their kids regularly, as this form of communication can offer additional ways to connect with your child. In addition, the FTC also recommends going over basic texting safety – ignoring texts from strangers, keeping phone numbers private, and learning how to block numbers.
Social media
While social media is a great tool to connect with friends and family, it’s unfortunately also home to many of the topics we’ve already covered – including cyberbullying and scams. Parents are encouraged to add their children on social media platforms, both to help familiarize themselves with the network and to monitor their child’s activities. As we’ve cautioned on our blogs before, the last thing any student wants is to lose an education or employment opportunity in the future because of an inappropriate post they made years prior. Read more about social media safety at the link below!
