Learning how to use social media and the Internet can help your children excel in their classes, open them to new ideas, and connect them with people from all corners of the globe. It can also expose them to scammers, sexual predators, and other people with bad intentions.
Using an application like Norton Family Premier or the parental control settings on your child’s device to monitor or restrict their on-line activity is one way to keep them safe on the world wide web. You could also teach your children to follow this basic set of on-line safety rules from the New York Public Library¹:
- Don’t give out any personal information – last name, home address, school name, telephone number, date of birth, etc. – without your parent’s permission and don’t include any personal information in your screen name,
- Don’t share your password with anyone but your parents and make sure you log out of any password-protected accounts when using a public computer like the ones at your school or the library.
- Don’t post photos or videos online without getting your parents’ permission.
- Don’t agree to meet an online friend unless you have your parents’ permission.
- Don’t buy anything online without talking to your parents first.
- Talk to your parents before you open an email attachment or download any software.
- Don’t send or respond to mean or insulting messages and tell your parents if someone sends you a message that makes you feel uncomfortable.
- Talk to your librarian, teacher or parent about safe and accurate websites you can use when doing research for an assignment and make sure you credit those websites in your work.
Want more tips or information when it comes to raising your children? Check out our blog to see articles about the proper age to leave your children home alone and where to look for fun summer activities children can do in the San Joaquin Valley.
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