As the school year begins, it is important to work with your children to ensure their safety online.  Spend some time connecting with your children, learning about what they do online and engaging in a conversation about safety.  There are many resources available to help. Here are some tips

• Connect
  • Set ground rules – sites they can visit; apps they can use.
  • Establish blackout periods that require disconnection.
  • Research – understand a device’s capabilities.
  • Use Safeguards – install monitoring software
  • Time, attention and conversation is the best safeguard.
• Learn
  • Know the platforms – know sites, games and apps your child frequents.
  • Be proactive – teach kids to spot online offenders.
    • Sexual conversations or sexually explicit images – “grooming”
  • Spot red flags – spending increased time online. Getting upset about blackout periods. Concealing what they are doing.
• Engage
  • Talk about it – regular conversations increase trust and communication.
  • Get involved – play online games with your child.
  • Don’t pull the plug – taking away the internet does not solve the problem.
  • Talk to them – about protecting themselves and respecting others.

Let’s work together to make sure our kids have a safe and secure school year. More information about online safety can be found here - NetSmartz Home (missingkids.org)