Exploring Internet Safety with Your Child

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The internet is a wonderful place for us to all explore that’s available 24/7, and has every resource available to us within seconds. It’s also where almost all of our support and development will be found these days as we shift towards a more technology-reliant future.

One thing that we are all at risk of when online is falling for a scam, having personal details stolen, or installing viruses on computers. Criminals can work in a number of ways to compromise a computer through us simply browsing the web, and while we know most of the telltale signs, our children won’t.

To help your child explore the internet safely, here are some top tips from this private college in Berkshire.

Make time to look through different kinds of scams

Not all scams start from browsing the internet casually. Your child may be using a lot of social media, especially if they have their own phone. Your child may also be playing a lot of online games with friends and people they don’t know, which can also pose a risk to your child’s safety. They all rely on the internet to work, so it’s important you look through risks on all of these kinds of platforms.

Put protections in place, and tell your child why

Internet providers, video game consoles and smartphones now have child-friendly technology to block them from accessing certain websites or features. Having this in place ensures your child can’t buy things by accident or share personal information with strangers. Explain why you do this so that your child is reminded of what they can’t do online, and with the block in place they won’t be able to skirt around the rules.

Sit with your child and look at what they’re using the internet for

Plenty of kids use the internet for playing games and talking to friends, which is fine to let your child do so, as long as it’s safe. The internet can also have an abundance of school resources they can access, including past exam papers, revision aids and workbooks. There are many online quizzes your child can also take to test their skills, which can also be found in app form as well.

Remind your child there’s no shame in making a mistake

At some point, we may have fallen for a scam or something misleading online. Tell your child that they should feel comfortable coming to you for any support they need when browsing online.