If you know that your kids are using the internet more and more, then you will want to try and do everything you can to keep them safe. If you don’t then you may find that they end up falling prey to cybercriminals or even that they end up putting themselves in danger. This is the last thing that you want, but there are ways for you to stop all of this from happening.
Place Your PC in a Common Area
You should never allow your kids to have a computer in their own room. You would be surprised at how the mere presence of you being in the room can stop them from searching stuff that might be harmful. If you want to increase security even more, then you may want to make sure that the screen is visible from various other parts of the room and that it isn’t turned towards a wall either. Having a family area for the PC is always a good idea in this instance, so everyone has access to the computer.
Computers and the Internet
Sure, you might feel as though you are knowledgeable about computers and even the internet in general, but that being said, it doesn’t harm to do a bit more research. Try and find out information from your ISP and also make sure that you make yourself aware of social media sites too. If you do, then you will soon find that you can give your kids the support that they need and that you can also really do your bit as well.
Spend Time Online With Your Kids
Browsing websites as a family can be a good thing. Consider hanging out with your kids and also help them to do their homework. If you want to keep them even more safe, then Google filters are a good idea. They can help to stop potentially harmful results from being shown and they can also give you an extra level of defence. If you have older kids then you need to make them aware that enticement of a minor over the internet is a very serious crime.
Reasonable Time Limits
You also need to set rules as to when your kids can, and can’t use the computer at home. This can be done via setting time limits or even allowing them extra time when they have done their homework. Either way, the more you can set limitations and boundaries, the more you can protect them.
The Dangers of the Web
It also helps to sit down and have a real discussion about the dangers of the internet and how it is going to affect them. At this point, it helps to be open and it also helps to be honest as well. They may have questions and if they do, then you need to try and answer them as openly as you can. If you don’t then you may find that you end up not giving them the confidence they need to make good decisions online regarding their internet usage.
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