We’re surrounded by tech all the time. We wake up and tell Alexa to turn off our alarm clock. We use our phones to switch on ambient music to help us to get to sleep at night. Whether we’re at home or work, we’re relying on technology to help us complete everyday tasks.
Most of this tech is online. It’s been two decades since we’d have to use slow dial-up connections to reach a rudimentary website. In the time that’s passed, we’ve been given computers that can access the internet quickly and easily – and all of this can be held in the palm of our hands.
As it’s possible to reach a range of sites with a few taps on a touchscreen, it can be tricky knowing how to stay safe online. And if you’re a parent, looking out for your child’s safety online can be even more of a concern.
Here, we look at ways to protect your kids online and the best ways to teach them about online safety.
Why consider online safety?
Children are particularly vulnerable. A lot of the content that’s available online isn’t suitable for children, but it can be easy to access websites that are for adults only. In 2018, writer and artist James Brindle gave a TED Talk about ‘surprise egg’ videos. He explained that the videos children were watching became something darker. Due to the algorithm, children were seeing things they shouldn’t.
Although this talk is over five years old, we’re still concerned about what our kids are seeing online. A report by Ofcom revealed that seven in 10 parents of children aged under 16 were worried about the content their child saw online.
So, it’s important that parents, carers, and educators understand what the risks are. It’s also crucial that they know how to protect children.
How to approach online safety
Talking to your child often about what they’re watching online is the best starting point. Doing this regularly will help you gauge if what they’re seeing is appropriate. You can check out the videos they’re seeing for yourself and take a look at the apps that they might have downloaded too.
It can be easier to do this with younger children, but as your little ones reach high school age, you might find it trickier to have these conversations. That’s why making it part of your everyday routine can put them at ease and make them feel comfortable about discussing this with you. It’s a case of balancing the message that you trust them with ensuring that they aren’t able to access anything harmful.
Tailor the way you approach this to suit the age they are at, too. There are some topics that might be easier to discuss with older children, while others might not be suitable for little children.
Tips to help you
Here are some tips to help you keep them safe online:
- Passwords and locks
Add password protections and parental tools to tablets so that they can only access age-appropriate apps and websites.
- Invest in a VPN
A VPN app can help to protect both you and your kids while browsing the internet.
- Educate yourself
Take the time to work out some of the language that’s currently used by young people online so that you know what to look out for in your own children.
