[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.17.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
Is the thought of your tech-savvy kids coming into contact with something harmful online keeping you up at night? We understand. Keeping your kids safe from outside threats used to be simple. Back then, it was common practice among responsible parents to get to know their kids friends\u2019 and their parents, create a network of people looking out for one another\u2019s children, and set limits as to when and where the kids could play. But for better or for worse, times have changed.<\/p>\n
In the vast sea of the interwebs, it\u2019s become much more challenging to keep our children safe from predators and negative influences. That doesn\u2019t mean it can\u2019t be done, however. To help you sleep better at night, here are seven best practices that can greatly reduce the risk of your child coming into contact with something (or someone) nefarious online:<\/p>\n
There\u2019s one thing that hasn\u2019t changed about keeping your kids safe\u2014you have to be present in order to protect them. When it comes to reducing your kids\u2019 chances of coming into contact with something less than desirable online, supervision is key. Let your children know that they are not to be online unless a parent or trusted adult is at home. Children are notorious for getting themselves into trouble when left to their own devices, whether intentional or not.<\/p>\n
Too much secrecy can be a bad thing in terms of any aspect of a parent-child relationship, but this is especially true when it comes to the Internet. That\u2019s why it\u2019s highly advisable that you create an open environment for online interactions. Translation\u2014put the family PC in the living room or other common area, and if your children have laptops, don\u2019t allow them to use these devices in their rooms or other private places. Too many parents make the mistake of being overly trusting of their children only to regret it after the harm has already been done.<\/p>\n
A little chit-chat can go a long way. Talk to your child about both the benefits and dangers of the Internet and advise them as to how to use this tool for their benefit and not their detriment. If you approach the subject lovingly and reasonably, you might be surprised to find out how receptive your children are to your advice.<\/p>\n
Yes, technology has its benefits and can be an excellent learning tool. One might even argue that by \u201cplaying\u201d on the computer, youngsters are training themselves for a future in a highly advanced workforce. But too much technology isn\u2019t good for anyone, adults or children. It\u2019s imperative to set some boundaries in terms of how much time your child can spend online every day, and then stick to them. Although it\u2019s certainly a personal decision, UCLA Health System<\/a> (2008) recommends no more than an hour or two per day.<\/p>\n We all know that the \u201cdo as I say, not as I do\u201d approach falls on deaf ears with little ones. Like all other creatures, they learn best by example. Sometimes those lessons are good, and sometimes, we unintentionally pass on bad habits to our ever-observant children. If you want your children to use the web for the right purposes and in the right doses, then you need to do so yourself.<\/p>\n Many parents, especially those with older children, make the mistake of assuming that the computer is the only device that requires monitoring. In our increasingly digital world, however, this is certainly not the case. Smartphones, game consoles, and even some televisions have Internet capabilities, so be sure that you\u2019re using the practices above to provide adequate supervision for these avenues as well.<\/p>\n Although there are many effective strategies for keeping your kids safe online, even the most watchful eye can miss an online search or social media interaction that could be potentially harmful. After all, parents are human, and we all make mistakes from time to time. As a result, it\u2019s a good idea to install a software program like Qustodio<\/a> on the computer your child uses to access the Internet. <\/a>Qustodio gives you more control over the content your child views online by allowing you to block certain types of websites and providing you access to reports detailing how much time your child is spending online and precisely which websites he or she is viewing.<\/p>\n We all want to protect our kids, but with technology changing so rapidly, it\u2019s hard to know exactly what to do to ensure children\u2019s safety once they\u2019ve entered the vast realm of the world-wide web. Fortunately, once you\u2019re armed with a few best practices and our free parental control and internet monitoring app<\/a>, you can rest easy knowing that your child is able to experience the entertainment and education the Internet has to offer in a way that is completely safe and secure.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Is the thought of your tech-savvy kids coming into contact with something harmful online keeping you up at night? We understand. Keeping your kids safe from outside threats used to be simple. Back then, it was common practice among responsible parents to get to know their kids friends\u2019 and their parents, create a network of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":4225,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"Is the thought of your tech-savvy kids coming into contact with something harmful online keeping you up at night? We understand. Keeping your kids safe from outside threats used to be simple. Back then, it was common practice among responsible parents to get to know their kids friends\u2019 and their parents, create a network of people looking out for one another\u2019s children, and set limits as to when and where the kids could play. But for better or for worse, times have changed.\n\nIn the vast sea of the interwebs, it\u2019s become much more challenging to keep our children safe from predators and negative influences. That doesn\u2019t mean it can\u2019t be done, however. To help you sleep better at night, here are seven best practices that can greatly reduce the risk of your child coming into contact with something (or someone) nefarious online:\n\n<\/a>\n\n\n###\u00a0Be There\n\nThere\u2019s one thing that hasn\u2019t changed about keeping your kids safe\u2014you have to be present in order to protect them. When it comes to reducing your kids\u2019 chances of coming into contact with something less than desirable online, supervision is key. Let your children know that they are not to be online unless a parent or trusted adult is at home. Children are notorious for getting themselves into trouble when left to their own devices, whether intentional or not.\n\n\n###\u00a0Be Open\n\nToo much secrecy can be a bad thing in terms of any aspect of a parent-child relationship, but this is especially true when it comes to the Internet. That\u2019s why it\u2019s highly advisable that you create an open environment for online interactions. Translation\u2014put the family PC in the living room or other common area, and if your children have laptops, don\u2019t allow them to use these devices in their rooms or other private places. Too many parents make the mistake of being overly trusting of their children only to regret it after the harm has already been done.\n\n\n###\u00a0Talk About It\n\nA little chit-chat can go a long way. Talk to your child about both the benefits and dangers of the Internet and advise them as to how to use this tool for their benefit and not their detriment. If you approach the subject lovingly and reasonably, you might be surprised to find out how receptive your children are to your advice.\n\n\n###\u00a0Set Limits\n\nYes, technology has its benefits and can be an excellent learning tool. One might even argue that by \u201cplaying\u201d on the computer, youngsters are training themselves for a future in a highly advanced workforce. But too much technology isn\u2019t good for anyone, adults or children. It\u2019s imperative to set some boundaries in terms of how much time your child can spend online every day, and then stick to them. Although it\u2019s certainly a personal decision, UCLA Health System<\/a> (2008) recommends no more than an hour or two per day.\n\n\n### Lead By Example\n\nWe all know that the \u201cdo as I say, not as I do\u201d approach falls on deaf ears with little ones. Like all other creatures, they learn best by example. Sometimes those lessons are good, and sometimes, we unintentionally pass on bad habits to our ever-observant children. If you want your children to use the web for the right purposes and in the right doses, then you need to do so yourself.\n\n\n###\u00a0Consider the Source\n\nMany parents, especially those with older children, make the mistake of assuming that the computer is the only device that requires monitoring. In our increasingly digital world, however, this is certainly not the case. Smartphones, game consoles, and even some televisions have Internet capabilities, so be sure that you\u2019re using the practices above to provide adequate supervision for these avenues as well.\n\n\n### Use the Right Tools\n\nAlthough there are many effective strategies for keeping your kids safe online, even the most watchful eye can miss an online search or social media interaction that could be potentially harmful. After all, parents are human, and we all make mistakes from time to time. As a result, it\u2019s a good idea to install a software program like Qustodio<\/a> on the computer your child uses to access the Internet. <\/a>Qustodio gives you more control over the content your child views online by allowing you to block certain types of websites and providing you access to reports detailing how much time your child is spending online and precisely which websites he or she is viewing. \n\nWe all want to protect our kids, but with technology changing so rapidly, it\u2019s hard to know exactly what to do to ensure children\u2019s safety once they\u2019ve entered the vast realm of the world-wide web. Fortunately, once you\u2019re armed with a few best practices and our free parental control and Internet monitoring app<\/a>, you can rest easy knowing that your child is able to experience the entertainment and education the Internet has to offer in a way that is completely safe and secure.","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nLead by example<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Consider the source<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Use the right tools<\/strong><\/h2>\n