Staying Safe Online this Summer
Senso's Top Tips
As the school summer holidays draw near, it’s natural that both adults and children will increase their online activities and presence. Whether it's planning those well needed vacations, connecting with loved ones we’ve not seen for a while, engaging in the latest video games, or enjoying various digital entertainment, the internet has become an essential part of our lives. However, with increased online activity, it is crucial to prioritise online safety for our children.
We’ve put together seven simple yet effective steps to help you ensure your children's online safety during the summer season. These easy-to-follow steps will still allow for plenty of digital fun, ideally accompanied by some sunshine!
Setting Boundaries and Expectations
Firstly, establishing clear boundaries and fostering open communication with your children is of utmost importance. This approach creates a foundation for healthy discussions surrounding digital wellbeing. Engage in conversations about internet usage, including topics like time limits, appropriate websites, and responsible online behaviour. By opening this channel of communication, your children will feel more at ease discussing any concerns or experiences they encounter while navigating the online world.
Using Parental Controls
As parents, it brings peace of mind to have the ability to maintain control over what our children encounter online. Utilising parental control software and content filters enables you to restrict access to age-inappropriate content, creating a safer online environment for your children. These tools allow you to manage and monitor your children's online activities, block certain websites, and set limits on screen time.
Explaining the Risks
By educating your children about online safety practices, you equip them with the knowledge and tools to navigate the digital world more securely and make informed decisions. Emphasising the significance of not disclosing personal information, such as full names, addresses, or phone numbers, to strangers online, unless authorised by a parent, instils the importance of thoughtful consideration before sharing. It is essential for children to comprehend the potential risks associated with interacting with unknown individuals online and encourage them to inform a trusted adult if they come across anything suspicious.
Talking about Privacy
Social media is a complex platform with a host of benefits, including staying connected with loved ones, discovering intriguing content, and documenting cherished memories for future reminiscence. However, it can also turn negative and isolating if not approached with caution. If your children use social media platforms, it is vital to educate them about the significance of privacy settings. Regularly reviewing their friend lists and connections and discussing the potential risks of accepting friend requests from strangers are essential steps. Encourage your children to share personal information exclusively with trusted friends and family members to ensure a safer online experience. There are numerous settings and options available to help you achieve this.
Being Game-savvy
Online gaming is popular among children, but it's important to educate them about the potential risks involved. Teach them about the importance of gaming etiquette, responsible behaviour, and avoiding sharing personal information during online gaming sessions. Familiarise yourself with the games your children play; don’t be afraid to be nosey! You can also consider enabling chat restrictions and making sure they only play in controlled environments.
Encouraging Critical Thinking
Empower your children with digital literacy skills. Teach them how to critically evaluate online information, identify reliable sources, and differentiate between trustworthy content and misinformation. Encourage them to question and verify the information they come across online, helping them become savvy digital citizens.
Keeping Devices Protected
Finally, ensuring that your devices have up-to-date antivirus software, firewalls, and security patches is essential to prioritise online safety. By consistently updating all software and operating systems, you take a proactive approach to safeguarding your devices against potential vulnerabilities and viruses. Enabling automatic updates guarantees that the latest security features are seamlessly integrated, providing enhanced protection for both you and your children.
Create a Relaxed Digital Environment
With the summer holidays around the corner, it’s inevitable that the internet will become a central part of our children’s downtime. So, let's make online safety a top priority and create a relaxed digital environment for everyone. By setting some simple guidelines, having open conversations, and staying informed about potential risks, we can enjoy the online world while keeping the worries at bay.
The summer is a time for fun, exploration, and time spent together. You can picture it now: the family are chilling all together in the garden, the sun is shining, Alexa is playing your favourite songs and there might even be a cheeky little BBQ on the go. Ah, summer!