When your child was younger, you instructed him or her how to look each ways before crossing the road, avoid talking to strangers, and not touch a hot stove. Now that your child is a teenager, you’re still watchful regarding their safety, however in different ways. Let’s say, if your child adores spending time surfing the web, it’s necessary to show your child the way to make computer time fun and not dangerous.

No parent would let their children drive a car without necessary training and preparation. It would be considered extremely dangerous to both the child and others to merely let them out on the road, without any support. And while the net and social media is completely helpful as a car is, an equivalent safety issues should be taken. It’s unsafe to provide to your children unlimited or unsupervised access to the net and social media. What can you do to keep you child safe while on the internet?

• You might clearly assume that children are too young to be victims of a cybercrime, however this is often precisely what the identity thieves want you to assume. Generally, identity thieves target teenagers to grasp details and use the private information to do all types of things like buying a car or home. In order to stop this from happening, enlighten your children the importance of keeping their information as personal as possible when on the web. Teach them that if a social networking website or an internet game is soliciting for their name, address and/or the other sort of personal information, they must immediately report it to you.

• Cyberbullying is the most typical threat a child needs to deal with while on the computer. Teenagers who are being bullied online typically end up feeling depressed, anxious and isolated. Luckily, there are email applications like “Block Sender” which will block unwanted messages from individuals you do not want to contact your child over the web, and you’ll be able to also set the app to block any email that contains a specific word or subject. This way, although someone is attempting to bully your child, your child will never know since they’re never going to see the message in the first place.

• From the very beginning, be clear that there’s a distinction between “internet use” and “social media use”. There are all types of safe ways in which children can engage with the net, from painting to fun games they use in school. If your child wishes to engage with technology and you are feeling they’re prepared, social media isn’t the most effective place for them to start. Be clear on the alternatives to social media from the beginning, don’t believe that you just have to be compelled to say yes to social media when there are smart alternatives available for young children.

• Setting some rules regarding use of the web and technology has a variety of benefits for children and families. At a very young age, the boundaries may include restrictions on use of any social media and communicating with friends. As children mature they should be given more freedom, however it’s a good ideato limit the amount of time they’ll spend online and also the sites they can access. Age restrictions on games ought to be obligatory. A ban on use of smartphones, tablets and other technology during mealtimes can encourage family interaction.