At the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, keeping kids safer is our their #1 priority. As a Mom, that is also a top priority. I carefully watch the sites my children visit, monitor them, always have the monitors facing to where I can see what they are doing and limit their time on the computer.
In honor of Safer Internet Day, they wanted to share
5 things parents can do to keep their kids safer online. I’ve also included a link to
Netsmartz, - a trusted resource that makes learning about internet safety easy for parents and fun for kids.
- Establish some basic rules for Internet use such as which websites children may visit and for how long.
- Ask to see their social media accounts. Find out who they’re talking to and what they’re posting.
- Check mobile devices to see what apps they’re using and if they’re texting responsibly.
- Talk about issues such as cyberbullying and sexting. Make sure they know they can come to you if they have a problem.
- Find tips and discussion starters at NetSmartz.org to keep the conversation going.