Protecting your child against all harm, physically or virtually is a top priority, but we can’t always be with our children all the time to do that. To protect children online, parents need to take proactive steps. Here are 10 essential internet safety rules every child should follow:
Teach your child not to share personal details such as their full name, address, school name, or phone number with strangers online.
Encourage children to create strong passwords using a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. They should never share passwords with friends.
If your child is using social media, help them:
✅ Set profiles to private
✅ Only accept friend requests from people they know in real life
✅ Avoid posting personal photos or videos that reveal too much information
Explain what cyberbullying is and encourage kids to report any hurtful messages or threats. Let them know they should never engage in bullying behavior themselves.
Children should be cautious when talking to new people online. Teach them the “Stranger Danger” rule applies to the internet too!
Parental controls can help block inappropriate content and monitor online activity. Popular tools include:
🔹 Google Family Link
🔹 Net Nanny
🔹 Norton Family
Too much screen time can negatively impact mental and physical health. Create family screen-time rules, such as:
📵 No devices during meals
📵 A maximum of 2 hours of social media per day
📵 No screen use 30 minutes before bedtime
How do you keep your kids safe online? We help you
Create a safe space for kids to talk about their online experiences. Ask questions like:
🗣 “Did anything online make you uncomfortable today?”
🗣 “Have you ever seen something online that worried you?”
Many gaming platforms have chat features where predators can target kids. Regularly check the games and apps your child is using and adjust privacy settings accordingly.
Teach kids to be skeptical of messages or links that seem too good to be true. Warn them against clicking on pop-ups or giving out login details.
If your child is old enough to use social media, here are some additional safety tips to keep them protected:
✔ Know the age restrictions – Most social media platforms require users to be at least 13 years old.
✔ Check privacy settings – Make sure accounts are set to private to limit who can see posts.
✔ Monitor who they follow and interact with – Regularly check their friends list for unknown people.
✔ Encourage positive posting – Teach kids that once something is posted online, it never truly disappears.
If your child encounters an online threat, here’s what to do:
CONCLUSION
Keeping kids safe online requires a mix of education, monitoring, and open communication. While the internet can be a valuable tool, it’s crucial to teach children how to navigate it responsibly.
By setting rules, using parental controls, and encouraging your child to share their online experiences, you can help them develop healthy and safe internet habits.
Remember, internet safety isn’t about restricting your child—it’s about empowering them to make smart choices.
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