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The internet isn’t unlike the Wild West – full of chancers, criminals and cons. But it’s important to remember that it’s also full of philanthropists, entrepreneurs, fun and creativity. Teaching your child how to stay safe on the internet is very important and it begins the moment you allow your child to use the internet at home.
As long as children are still young, it’s very important that they do not have private space and access to the internet. You should always be in the room with them, assisting them as they research and work online or watch their favourite shows. When a child grows though, things become more complex.
Teenagers should be monitored and educated at the same time. This sixth form college in Hampshire ensures pupils are well-versed in how the internet works and in computer technology.
Explaining How The Internet Works
In order for your child to be really safe, you need to explain to them how the internet works. It’s no use giving them vague warnings about ‘dodgy links’ and ‘talking to strangers’ because these ideas are too vague and confusing.
Let your child know that the internet is like an enormous book in which anyone can write anything they like. This is true and it’s part of why fact-checking is so important. Show your child some trustworthy websites and explain why they’re trusted.
Fact-Checking
Not believing all you read is a really important lesson and most especially for teens. In the era of memes and false news, teens can easily fall prey to ‘facts’ which are nothing of the sort. A great example are the quotes which are often shared on social media and attributed to famous people such as Marilyn Monroe or similar.
Snopes, the fact checking website will often reveal that these quotes were never really attributed to the famous person in question at all – and merely produced to garner more social interactions for a particular website or page. Show your teens a news site – a good one such as BBC – then ask them why they know they can trust these sites a good source of news. Their answers may surprise you.
Social Media
Most teens adore social media. They spend hours on it every day if allowed, chatting, sharing photos and videos and having fun. It’s when the photo sharing and chatting shifts to people they don’t know in real life that things can get sticky.
Let your teen know that it’s never ok to share photographs or locations with strangers. Even if they say they attend “X School” and live-in a nearby town or know someone they’re friends with – they may be lying. Above all, encourage open dialogue, honesty and let your teen know that you’d rather they confided in you than kept secrets.
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