Children and teenagers grow up using the internet, which can pose potential risks. Here are seven essential internet safety tips every parent should know.
As summer winds down and school gets back into gear, parents have to juggle many tasks and concerns. One thing to keep top of mind is their child's internet safety. While the internet offers vast opportunities for learning, creativity and communications, it also poses potential risks.
Given the popularity of TikTok, gaming and other online activities for kids, tweens and teens, it's important to ensure they are following some basic internet safety tips. Here are seven ways to help ensure they have positive — and age-appropriate — online experiences.
1. Utilize Parental Controls
Parental controls are available on many devices, services, operating systems, internet browsers and apps. Using the Cox Panoramic Wifi app, for example, you can block inappropriate websites and restrict certain applications. Take the time to set up these controls to help create a safe, virtual environment for your child.
2. Create Individual Profiles
When your child uses a shared device or computer,
creating individual profiles for each family member can help customize the online experience and maintain internet safety. By having separate profiles, you can tailor content restrictions, privacy settings and age-appropriate access for each child.
3. Schedule Downtime
Encouraging healthy screen time habits is vital for your child's well-being. Establishing scheduled downtime ensures that your child takes a break from continuous internet use. You can use the
downtime scheduler on the Cox Panoramic Wifi app to designate specific hours during the day when electronic devices are off-limits, while encouraging off line activities like outdoor play, reading or family time for board game night.
4. Share Safety Concerns
Take the time to educate your child about the various online threats they may encounter. Depending on their age, you may want to cover concerns like cyberbullying, online predators, phishing scams and identity theft. Just as you probably have cautioned them against interacting with strangers in public, it's important to warn them against engaging with them online and to let you know if people they don't know try to engage with them.
5. Teach Responsible Social Media Use
Kids of all ages are usually drawn to social media, whether it's TikTok or Instagram. If your child is old enough to use social media, guide them in responsible usage. Talk to them about using privacy settings, understanding the consequences of oversharing personal information and handling negative experiences such as cyberbullying or inappropriate content.
6. Monitor Online Activities
While you may choose to allow your children to have some freedom to explore the internet, you will likely want to keep a watchful eye on their usage. For children under 10, it may work best to keep the computer in a common area of the house or only have them use a tablet or smartphone when you are nearby.
For tweens and teens, who may have their own computer, tablet or phone, you can discuss with them their online experiences, friends and interests, while still using parental controls, as needed. The goal is to try to strike a balance between monitoring and respecting your child's privacy, so that they feel comfortable approaching you when they encounter any issues.
7. Be a Good Internet Safety Role Model
You can show your child how to practice responsible online behavior by modeling it yourself. Be mindful of what you post online, respecting their personal privacy regarding what you share on social media. And you may want to review — and possibly reduce — your own screen time so you can be even more present for your family.
More Ways to Optimize Your Online Experience
Did you know?
Using two-factor authentication can improve your internet security for your family by protecting personal data and heading off cyber attacks.
