27 Mar Protecting Your Children Online
We are a world that is constantly ‘on-line’. Information at a push of a button, whether it be on our mobile phones, our laptops, tablets and so on.
When your children start using devices that open them up to the world wide web, its really important to discuss:
- Inappropriate conduct and what this means. Not only in terms of your child potentially being witness to inappropriate conduct, but also copying that behaviour, or as the initiator.
- Inappropriate contact, who and why. Unfortunately, there are people online with bad intentions, including bullies, predators, hackers, and scammers.
- Inappropriate content and your concern that your children could find pornography, violence, or hate speech online.
It is important that children have a sense of what and who is appropriate, and what and who, is not. As well as what conduct is allowed and what isn’t. Research has shown that children want important information and rely on their parents for guidance and assurance. Ask them often about some of their online experiences, how they are going, what have they been watching, playing or speaking with online. Start a general conversation with them and do this frequently. Be supportive and positive and listen. You will find more about their online activities when you create an open and honest environment.
Teach your children about computer security
Protecting personal information at any age is important. Passwords and other important information your children might keep on devices and laptops are all examples of information to keep private.
- Discuss with them that they need to be careful about downloading “free” stuff. Free games, ring tones, or other downloads can hide malware. It is best to only download trusted, known sources and they have scanned it with security software. Or, if in doubt to come and ask you first.
- It’s really important to use strong email passwords and protect them. The longer the password, the harder it is to crack. It is best not to use personal information as passwords for example your birthday or street address. Encourage them to use letters, numbers and symbols in their passwords.
- Discuss the importance of not sharing information or passwords with anyone including their friends.
- In addition, be sure your family computers are protected by reputable security software.
For more information on computer security visit: https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0009-computer-security
Parental Controls
Microsoft offers parental controls to help keep children safe when they use their devices.
By establishing a Microsoft Family Group it enables families to stay connected and keeps children safer on Windows 10, Xbox One devices, and Android devices running Microsoft Launcher. It’s free, and it’s one of the many benefits of having a Microsoft account. With the settings on family.microsoft.com, you can access reports on a childrens’ activity, set screen time limits, check on a child’s location, limit which websites and games they can access, and require your approval to purchase from the Microsoft Store.
For more information visit: https://support.microsoft.com/en-au/help/12413/microsoft-account-what-is-family-group
Additional Resources:
https://www.familyzone.com/au/families?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjPLwyLXX5wIVkwsrCh0tBgkqEAAYASAAEgJfQfD_BwE
https://www.qustodio.com/en/family/why-qustodio/