This is a collaborative post
It would be hard to imagine a life without the internet; it allows us to communicate with people, carry out research, book appointments, and seek out entertainment. However, the internet can also be quite dangerous, especially for those who are naïve of the various risk. With that in mind, it’s important for parents to have regular conversations about internet safety. Read on for some advice from an international school in Hertfordshire.
Consider Your Child’s Age
There are some things that you can share with older children that you might not want to discuss with a younger child, so think about what you feel is appropriate before you begin a conversation about internet safety. For example, you might not wish to speak to a younger child about grooming or exploitation, so the language you use to discuss this will be different and more sensitive.
Show an Interest
Make sure your child knows that you have an interest in their life and you care about their wellbeing. Ask them what they like to do on their digital devices. Do they play games or browse social media?
Which platforms are they using? Once you have a better understanding of what they’re up to, you will be able to tailor your advice accordingly.
Add Parental Controls
Adding parental controls to your child’s phone and other devices will help block any inappropriate content and protect them from potential threats. Some online games, for instance, allow you to turn off the “chat” function so that there’s no risk of your child talking to strangers.
You should also think about establishing some rules to keep them safe, like only accessing the internet in communal areas of the house. Whatever you feel is appropriate is entirely up to you as a parent, don’t worry about what other families are doing.
Need to help your child with maths? Check this post for ideas of how.