Keeping Your Kids Safe on Social Media

The internet was designed to browse porn.
There, I said it. 

Well, actually, first it was designed to send information from one university to another via a "web" of communication, but as soon as those nerds figured that out their next top priority was porn.

But the internet has evolved since then... like most humans the internet has a soft cuddly side also. There are plenty of ways that you can enjoy yourself without venturing into the "dark side" and the same goes for your little nerds, too!

"Explain that using the internet is just like driving a car or going
 out with your friends alone, you have to be responsible and you
 have to behave in a trustworthy manner."
(Source)

We know the internet has become a place for entertainment and education for all ages, and we know how to stay away from the dark side, but our kids may not. So how do we keep those little eyes away from things they're not prepared for, or even worse, away from people who wish to prey on them?

Here are a few important measures to take to ensure your child's safety when browsing the web:

(after the jump!)



1. Educate Your Kid(s)

The key to avoiding the dangers of the internet is to know about the dangers on the internet. If your kids don't know that there are bad things lurking around every typo and on every social media site, how are they supposed to be prepared for them?

Explain that using the internet is just like driving a car or going out with your friends alone, you have to be responsible and you have to behave in a trustworthy manner. (For the little ones the conversation could go something like: "Mommy wants you to know that there are lots of great and exciting things on the computer for you to learn, but you should always use it with Mommy or Daddy. Just like when we go shopping at the mall and you have to stay where Mommy can see you, you can't use the computer unless Mommy can see you!")


2. Educate Your Self

Before you can teach your kids anything, you have to know about it yourself, right? Same goes with browsing the web. Know where the dangers lie and where they're most likely to accidentally end up. Look up sites that could be easily typed in by a child but could have double meanings and block them.

If you know where the dangers lie, then you're more likely to prepare yourself, your computer and your child ahead of time.



3. Set Limits

The easiest way to help your child understand where and where they are not allowed to go on the web, group programs and files they are allowed to use in a separate area on your computer than the programs and files they're not allowed to use. Be very clear about what they are and are not allowed to do.

Even better, give them a screen time allowance... 30 mins, an hour, whatever you feel comfortable with. If they have strict regulations about how long they can spend they know you're watching and they're less likely to spend time goofing around.


4. Set Consequences

Don't just be clear about what they can and can't do, be clear about what will happen if they do what they've been told they're not allowed to do. "If you visit any websites or watch any videos that you know I will find inappropriate, you will lose your computer privileges for a week."

These should not be empty threats. If they break the rules (and they most likely will on occasion) you need to stick to the plan. Follow through will teach them that messing about where they should not be will only get them in trouble.


5.  Location & Visibility is important!

See No Evil. Hear No Evil. Speak No Evil.

Where is the computer or device that you're children use located? The best place would be somewhere central where you can monitor their activities while tending to your own tasks. Although putting a personal computer in your child's room is very generous, it's also very dangerous. If they feel like their activity is not being monitored they are far more likely to engage in reckless behaviour.


6. Mobile Devices

I personally let me toddler use my iPhone at Doctor's offices and Airports and places where he would otherwise cause me more grief than necessary, but only as a treat and only when I say it is OK. I keep a close watch on what he's doing and usually even participate in the game that he's playing so I am engaging with him but also keeping an eye on how he's using my device.

When it comes to older kids, giving them the hottest mobile phone with the most capability makes you feel like an awesome parent, but is it something they really need? And furthermore, how are they going to be using it? Monitor your kid's cell phone and tablet use carefully, inspect their browser histories and make sure that they understand their limitations and consequences on these devices as well.


7.  Bookmarked Folders

An easy way to guide your child while they're using your computer is to create separate folders (bookmarks as well as file folders) specifically for their use. You can create a "kids" folder with all of the links and sites they enjoy visiting, or a separate folder to each child if they're the types that like things to be segregated.

By doing this you're giving them the power to make healthy decisions about what they do and don't use on the internet, and guiding them in the right direction. This gives them their web sites or applications stored in one convenient place where they can access it whenever they want. Children like things that are made specifically for them as it makes them feel special, you can even add cool new items that you find to these folders if you know it's something that they'd like as a special surprise for them!

Use a separate folder on your desktop or in your browser for each kid
to make them feel special and keep them safe.

8. Configure Your Browser

The best defence is a good offence, right? Well it certainly works in hockey, so why can't it work for social media too? You can pre-configure your browser for "safe" and "unsafe" sites. You can turn up your security settings to ensure that your children can't accidentally visit unsafe sites while using the web and you can keep a close record of their browsing history.

Each of these practices should be checked regularly to ensure that the tools are still on and working effectively.


9. Use Safety Software

So you've got the safety precautions on the browser, but you're still not feeling secure enough? Your tweens and teens know more about this stuff than you do, after all! Well thankfully there are a lot of software programs that are super stealthy and can not only track but warn you when your computer is accessing websites or files that it shouldn't be.

Nothing like catching your teen red handed!

and last... but not least!

10. Don't Browse Porn on the Family Computer!

Last but not least, and this may just be the most important one to remember... Don't browse porn on the family computer! Porn sites are notoriously virus-ridden and often leave malware on your computer that you don't even know about. That malware infects it with popups and worms that could potentially present themselves when your child is at the helm.

These days it's not off base to say that the majority of households have more than one PC between the inhabitants, so if you can, take the smut elsewhere. The key to parenting is, after all, setting a good example!