Internet Safety Tips for Teens and Parents
Aubrey De Jesus • July 16, 2024
Technology is
everywhere, and with it comes multiple threats, from cyberbullying to predators. As parents, we need our teens to be careful online since they spend so much of their time on social media. How do we keep them safe?
First, you need to have an honest conversation about what dangers social media can bring to them.
Second, come up with a plan of action.
While the only way to be completely safe online is to NOT be online, it’s not quite realistic. Here are some things to talk about with your teen in order for them to maintain as much internet safety as possible:
- Never post personal information online, such as cell number, home address, what school you attend, or your specific location
- Never meet anyone in person that you first met online; if someone is asking to meet you in person, tell your parents right away
- Be careful what kind of pictures you post online; you should never be posting inappropriate pictures of yourself or anyone else
- Don’t respond to rude or mean messages, emails, or texts; block people who continue to send these kind of messages, even if they are from your “friends”
- Be careful who you chat with while on social media - many people aren’t who they say they are, so avoid talking to anyone you don’t know
- If anything makes you feel uncomfortable online, tell your parents right away; your safety is their top priority
Now, for the
plan of action. As a parent, there is even more you can do to help your teen stay safe online:
- Install family-friendly internet networks and set up parental controls
- Place computers and devices in central locations in the home, such as the living or dining room
- Connect with them on social media
- Keep track of how much time they are spending on their devices, and limit it according to your family’s preferences
- Keep the conversation open as you chat about their online habits
- Be on the lookout for any strange or “off” behavior from your teen, and follow up with them; you know your child best, so follow your instincts
- Always be a safe space for them to come to you; take any concerns they may have seriously and be their advocate
Remember that you and your teen are a
team;
you are working together to keep them safe while they enjoy social media for its intended purposes: to connect with friends, laugh, and learn. You’re not only teaching them safety tips now, but setting them up for success as they continue to use technology into adulthood.
At King’s Christian School, our students utilize technology in the classroom from the elementary school to our high school. Our teachers are continually stressing the importance of internet safety, and our school’s wifi has rigorous safety measures in place that block inappropriate sites, ads, and content to give our students the safest experience online that we can. We can all work together to keep our kids safe online.
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