4 Tips For When your Kids Go Online

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Kids start using tech devices at a young age, which typically means they’re using the internet too. From watching kid’s TV shows on your tablet to playing games on your phone, there are endless ways your kids will explore technology as they grow up. 

However, monitoring your child’s online activities is essential. By doing so, you can protect them and keep them safe in a digital environment, as well as in the real world. To ensure you’ve got the right protocols in place, take a look at these top tips for when your kids go online:

1. Don’t Assume They Know Everything

Tech is one area where parents will often defer to kids, and it’s true that many children do know more about technology than their parents! (I am absolutely clueless when it comes to the XBox) However, it’s important to remember that kids don’t know everything about tech, particularly when it comes to communicating with other people or disclosing personal information. 

While your child might be able to set up a VPN, they may need help with the more nuanced aspects of using the internet, such as avoiding scams and blocking contact from people they don’t know. 

2. Use It to Keep Kids Safe

Many parents assume they have to dissuade their kids from using tech in order to keep them safe, but this isn’t the case. You simply need to teach them how to use it safely. Furthermore, you can actually use the internet to enhance your child’s safety, particularly when you combine it with real-life scenarios. 

If your child is yearning for more independence, for example, you may feel more comfortable letting them go out alone when you can monitor their location. To find out how to pinpoint your child’s location using just a mobile phone, browse this site now. With the right apps and features, you can actually enhance your family’s safety when you embrace the latest technology. 

3. Set Parental Controls

If you’re not familiar with how to set up parental controls or you don’t have much experience with tech in general, there is plenty of support available. Fortunately, developers have created parental controls that are user-friendly and easy to update, so keeping your kids safe online doesn’t have to be difficult. Alternatively, you could always opt for a child-friendly device that has parental controls pre-programmed and ready to go - Cora has the Amazon Kids tablet which does this well. 

4. Set Screen Limits

If allowed, many kids would use tech devices from the moment they wake up to the moment they fall asleep at night but, of course, staring at a screen all day isn’t healthy for your family. When your child starts using tech, it’s vital to set screen limits from the outset. This will ensure your child gets used to limiting their tech usage and avoids arguments or disagreements further down the line. 

Integrating Tech into Your Home

Technology is a major part of our lives and it’s set to be even more pervasive as your child gets older. By teaching your child about online dangers and showing them how to use tech responsibly, you can ensure they reap the benefits that new technology can offer while avoiding the many pitfalls associated with the internet.