How to Help Your Kids Stay Safe Online

Upcoming generations will never know a world without the Internet. Although the Internet has improved our lives greatly and will continue to do so, it also comes with its own pitfalls and dangers. While the idea of kids growing up around the potential dangers of the Internet can be scary for some, it doesn’t have to be! As a parent, you can help your child take advantage of all the benefits of the Internet…not be taken advantage by it. Here are some quick tips on how to help your kids to stay safe online.

Encourage family conversations about the Internet.

Have honest conversations with your kids about the Internet, including the way that the Internet can be helpful and hurtful. Don’t scare them, but make sure that they understand what they need to do to be safe while online. Encourage open dialogue within your family about cyberbullying, online predators and what is appropriate to post and look at online.

Create family rules for Internet use.

Creating boundaries and rules for Internet use is important to keep your family safe online. These rules can be different for every family, but consider these questions when creating family Internet rules:

• What kind of things are okay to post online?
• Who can you accept friend requests from on social media?
• Are there any off-limits websites?
• What should I do if I see something inappropriate online?
• Is it okay to give out personal information online?
• How much time can I spend online every day?
• What sort of privacy settings on social media should we have?

Keep a close eye on their Internet activities.

There are a lot of different software and devices that can monitor and filter your child’s Internet and computer activities. Take some time to research the one that would fit your family’s needs the best, based on your family size, technology usage and age of your children.

Here are some of our favorite devices to help keep an eye on your kid’s Internet usage: Disney Circle, Screen, KoalaSafe

About unWired Broadband

unWired Broadband is the leading Internet provider for rural and underserved areas in Central and Northern California. Their network includes over 200 towers connecting communities that have been ignored by cable and fiber Internet providers. Since their inception in 2003, they have expanded their connectivity suite to also include redundancy solutions, a data center and most recently, fiber Internet.