While so much is online today, even school, it’s important to have conversations about the dangers of being online with your kiddos. Cyber safety is extremely important to protect your family, so it’s crucial to continue these conversations over time and educate your children more than once (because we all know kids forget what mom or dad told them). Today, we will give our favorite cyber safety tips for kids!
Protect Your Identity
It’s important to teach your children that their identity is important. People could use their name, birthday, phone number, address and so on to do some bad things. Tell them it’s important not to post this information or share it with anyone when they are on social media or playing games online.
Stay Away from Strangers
Many kids will get friend requests or messages from strangers on social media, online platforms or video games. Tell them that stranger danger is just as important online as it is in person. If someone is being nice online, it doesn’t mean they should trust them or engage in conversation.
Monitor Use
Make sure you keep track of the social media platforms your children are on, what video games they are playing as well as who they are talking to on those games, and any other online activity. You don’t need to go overboard with looking deep into each piece but just do a quick look and have a conversation about being safe.
Secure Social Media
Know what platforms your children are using and show them how to set their security settings high on each platform. Make sure they aren’t sharing personal information and what they are posting is appropriate. You should also remind them to never meet in person with someone they met online and tell an adult if a stranger is messaging them.
Be Aware of Downloads
Teach your children not to download anything without your permission. Explain that anything that is downloaded or clicked on could hurt their computer or phone. Be sure to download and run security software on the computer as well as make continuous updates to the phone and apps.
We hope these tips help you keep your children a little safer when online. The danger is out there, so monthly reminders are important to instill good practices in your children. Check out our blog for more cybersecurity tips.
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