The internet is a wonderful place for everyone, and with cheap internet options available, it has become more accessible than ever before. However, it is truly a magical wonderland for kids since they literally have the world at their fingertips. Add a child’s natural desire to explore life and its mysteries with the global reach of the internet, and you will get a truly amazing combination. However, the greater the opportunity, the higher the responsibilities that go with it. This holds particularly true for the cyberspace world that kids often explore without any fear or hindrance. As such, they can easily fall prey to all kinds of predators. Unfortunately, the internet’s anonymity can also turn many kids into bullies. This is why it is imperative that you teach your kids to be kind first and foremost while being smart so that they will always remain safe online. Here is how you can go about teaching your kids to surf the net safely:
- Protect them from financial scams
The online world, especially the online gaming world is absolutely rife with all kinds of criminal schemes that specifically target young children. If you have decided to trust your kids with your credit card details for online shopping and/or gaming, you should make it a point to urge them to only purchase from officially licensed vendors. They must not pay money to anyone who offers them any gaming goodies via social media or online chat services under an alias. Many scammers are known to use various phishing links to lure children into giving them vital information. They can also use sophisticated viruses to steal information via in-game chats or even through SMS texts. You should teach them to never open random attachments and to confirm the ID of the sender, beforehand.
- Use a good SIM only deal package
You should also consider using sim-only deals for your kids’ phones. Not only will it enable you to keep an eye on their usage, but it will also cut down your overall communication expenses. Add to that the fact that they will be able to safely and easily improve their smartphone experience with the help of such packages. In case they lose their phone or it is picked up by someone, you can always get them a new phone and they will retain the same number. Moreover, they will also be able to change their phone and swap it for newer and more advanced models without ever changing their number or package.
- Use parental control apps
Parental control apps are some of the best ways of keeping an eye on your child while he or she is online. As a matter of fact, there are certain people who go out of their way to approach children. Such people are predators pure and simple. They are among the biggest reasons why such apps exist in the first place. Strong parental controls will not only lock objectionable content (pornography hate speech etc.) but they will also keep a detailed account of your child’s online movements.
- Teach them kindness
Kids often bully other kids and those who are bullied in return, bully others. This creates a vicious cycle and it is not easy to escape from it. However, it doesn’t have to be this way at all. Not when you teach your own kids the stellar virtues of kindness and sincerity. If they see anyone being bullied online, they should go right ahead and help the victim out. They should also try their level best to protect everyone from cyberbullies, especially vulnerable kids.
- Never ignore updates and patches
Patches and updates exist for a reason. They are not there for the express purpose of slowing your computer or phone down. On the contrary, they are critical to the safety and security of your device. If your antivirus and operating systems are not updated, they might become vulnerable to Trojan attacks. This way, hackers will be able to gain access to your kids’ phones.
Conclusion
You have to take extra care for the safety and security of your child while he or she is online. You can do the needful by opting for sim only deals and keeping a close watch on their online activities.
Iskra Banović is our seasoned Editor-in-Chief at BlueFashion. She has been steering the website's content and editorial direction since 2013. With a rich background in fashion design, Iskra's expertise spans across fashion, interior design, beauty, lifestyle, travel, and culture.
