Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
Keeping your child safe online is becoming an increasingly important consideration for parents to make. Some parents will already have a good understanding around the risks of being online, but with the online world moving so fast, how do parents keep their child safe online moving forwards?
The UK government website on this topic notes that children can be at risk to the following concerns when being online:
- Child sexual abuse
- Child criminal exploitation
- Exposure to radicalising content
- Consensual and non-consensual sharing of nude and semi-nude images and/or videos (also known as sexting or youth produced sexual imagery)
- Cyberbullying
- Exposure to age-inappropriate content, such as pornography
- Exposure to harmful content, such as suicide content
As a result, it is vital for parents to develop an awareness around the risks of being online and how they can keep their child safe online. The online world continuously shifts with new technology, apps and devices being released all the time. However, there are steps that parents can take that will help to keep their child safe, despite the ground shifting underneath.
Therefore, I have provided 6 tips for parents to help keep your child safe online, tips that hopefully will help any parents, regardless of their own knowledge/experience of online safety, keep their child safe online. I hope it helps!
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1. Parent controls
The vast majority of devices and apps will have the option for parents to set restrictions or controls over the content their child accesses. This could be parental controls through your internet provider, which can prevent the child accessing any inappropriate content on the internet. Specific apps like, Facebook, Instagram and many others, have the option for parents to limit who can access your child’s account, can manage who can communicate with your child and who can add them as “friends” or “follow” them. Furthermore, gaming consoles also have parental controls set to limit what/who your child can engage with.
These parental controls can usually be found in a device’s/app’s settings. However, if you are having difficulty accessing these settings, understanding them or knowing how to set them up, I would recommend you contact the company/shop you purchased the device from, seek advice online or request support from a family member/friend who may be able to help.
Regardless of the age of your child, it is always worth exploring the parental control settings of any new device/app your child starts to use. This will help to ensure that the appropriate steps are taken to keep your child safe online with each new device/app.
2. Open discussions around online activity
When it comes to keeping your child safe online, it is always better to work with your child, rather than against them. Of course, some children are going to take some exception to having controls or restrictions placed on them. However, this is why open conversations can be helpful in creating a culture of trust and accountability with your child.
Therefore, I would encourage parents to openly discuss online safety and your child’s online activity. What is their reasoning for using a certain app/device? What will they be using it for? How will they keep themselves safe? All are examples of possible questions you may want to ask to introduce the conversation around online safety.
Make these conversations “the norm”. Get your child used to openly discussing their online activity and how they can keep themselves safe. If done so regularly, you can develop a positive culture of trust and accountability with your child that may help ease your mind as a parent.
3. Show curiosity
Being curious around what your child is doing, who they are talking to and the apps they are using, is a useful habit for parents to have when thinking about how to keep their child safe online.
Curiosity does not have to be an “interrogation” or an overly “invasive”. A lot of the time, it can simply be a parent gathering information so that they can do their own investigation. For example, your child may mention that they are using a new app that you are unfamiliar with. So ask question about it. What is the app used for? Who uses it? What can you do on the app? Then use this information to do your own research online, to ensure this information is accurate and to identify any risks.
There are apps out their specifically targeting children that promotes speaking with strangers, sharing images with strangers or sharing personal information. The risks around these apps are significant, so it is very important that parents have a full awareness of the apps/online activity their child is participating in. Be curious and ask questions!
4. Checking devices
Parents have a responsibility to safeguard their children. So is it overly invasive or too much to check your child’s devices on a regular basis to ensure they are safe online? It is a question that can divide opinion. There is the argument for keeping your child safe, and the argument for your child’s right to privacy.
Personally, I feel that safeguarding is always the priority. I would rather my child be upset at me for checking their device often, but I know they are safe. Rather than them being happier with me because they have some privacy, but run the risk of all the harmful behaviours listed above. I always feel that a line can be drawn between the two. For example a parent may check who their child has been talking to on their phone, but not read the actual messages.
The lines each parent draws for themselves on this topic will vary. However, it cannot be ignored that having a regular routine of checking your child’s devices adds an additional layer of safety when thinking about how to keep your child safe online.
5. Educate yourself and your children
The online world is an ever shifting environment, with new apps/devices/technology released what feels like every day! I was brought up with Myspace and Facebook. I am not even sure if Myspace still exists, and Facebook is now perceived by children today as an app for “old people”!
As a parent, it is almost impossible to keep up to date with all this new technology. However, it remains important that parents educate themselves on the apps children are using nowadays. What are these apps? Are there any risks? Does this app need parental controls?
As an example, I completed some safeguarding training around online apps and the unknown risks in these apps. Roblox is a very popular game/app for children currently. However, it was discussed on the training that this app can be edited and modified by anyone. An incident was discussed where young children were exposed to a virtual “sex party”, as the game had been modified by adults, but children were still able to access this content. This may have been rectified by the app now (I am not sure), but it just goes to show that even the most popular apps have a level of risk.
This education also extends to your child. I know that UK schools often complete some online safety training with children. However, parent’s regularly discussing and reviewing safety arrangements is another important part of how to keep your child safe online.
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6. Reduce online time
It is very simplistic and may sound obvious, but reducing the amount of time your child spends online, will in turn reduce the risk. It is easier said than done, as the majority of children are now socialising through social media, rather than going to knock on their friend’s door to see them.
Despite this, do not forget that moderation of time spent online is still an effective strategy to keep your child safe online.
Summary
The tips above have intentionally been picked as they can be flexible to the change in apps/technology/devices. When looking for targeted advice around a specific app or device, it is always best to seek some expert advice. This could be through the shop/company you bought the device. Alternatively, there are some useful resources of support which I have detailed below:
Feel free to share your own ideas for other parents in the comments below!
(This post contains links from affiliates of this blog. If you make a purchase via the links, you will get a discount and I will earn a small commission at no extra cost to yourself. So everybody wins! All affiliate links will be labelled as such).
Staying on top of how best to help a child navigate things online is so important these days; it starts with the parents and it is great to read all the information and tips included here. I will share this with parents and families I know as I am sure they will find it useful!