Tag: internet

  • 5 Internet Safety Tips For Parents

    5 Internet Safety Tips For Parents

    The internet is a popular online learning platform for kids, and social media is a huge part of their lives these days. However, the vast digital world can present security and safety risks to adults and kids. Therefore, parents must know how to set boundaries and help their kids stay safe on the internet. The mere thoughts of what they may be exposed to online can be worrying. So check out these safety tips to protect your child.

    Use tech together

    Allowing your child to educate and entertain themselves online is not a bad idea, as long as you guide them to use tech safely. Studies show parents can improve their kids’ online experience by sharing technology with them. This way, you can develop their safe browsing skills. One way to protect your kids online is to install a VPN on their devices. This tool will instantly secure their connection, mask their real IP address, and help them explore more content online. You can track their online activity by keeping all their devices in one area for easy supervision. Discourage them from sending electronics to the bedroom if it affects their sleep quality.

    Remind kids to be careful when sharing personal information

    Advise kids not to share personal information like contact, name, and photos online without your approval. Also, remind older kids using social media platforms like Facebook to be careful with the kind of personal information they post online. Let them know once they publish sensitive information, they may lose control over who sees it and how badly people may use it.

    Discuss the risks of meeting online friends in person

    It’s also important to help your child understand the risks of visiting online friends in person. While young people may make new friends over the internet, meeting strangers in person can be dangerous. To avoid unpleasant experiences, discourage children going anywhere without the presence of an adult. Additionally, you may want to ask them to notify you if they feel uncomfortable in any online interaction.

    Keep communication lines open

    Parents should talk to their kids regularly about their online activities and keep communication lines open. Help them create a plan for unfriendly experiences, such as when they see something that makes them feel uncomfortable or worried. This way, you can navigate digital dilemmas and ensure your kids’ safety. Reassure them you won’t seize their devices if something goes wrong. That is important because you don’t want your child to hide information from you due to the fear of losing their devices.

    Beware of age restrictions

    Many online platforms like YouTube and Instagram have age restrictions in place to protect young users. Therefore, don’t allow your child to sign up for adult websites if they are underage. Even if they are old enough to create an account, ensure they set their profile to private mode to limit access to people. Finally, feel free to consult an eSafety commissioner for tips on whether your kid is ready for social media.

  • Social Media Safety for High School Students

    Social Media Safety for High School Students

    Social-Media-Safety-for-High-School-Students

    Since connectivity has become the new way of life, social media is emerging as one of the typical ways of staying in touch. The same applies to high school students. There is a lot to know, even for digital natives who have grown up in an ecosystem driven by social and digital media.

    Social networks like Facebook and Instagram allow you to share the nitty-gritty of your life, whereas LinkedIn is for professional connections.

    Although social media communication appears harmless, there is a chance you could be exposed to hackers, stalkers, and identity thieves.

    As a result, it is pretty vital to understand how much to share, what to share, and with whom to share. Given below are social media safety tips for high school students.

    [click_to_tweet tweet=”Talking to high schoolers frankly about the real risks of social networking is more important than ever. Here are some ways to keep them safe online! #OnlineSafety #cybersafety ” quote=”Talking to high schoolers frankly about the real risks of social networking is more important than ever. Here are some ways to keep them safe online! “]

    Privatize your social life to improve internet safety



    While being cautious about your connections is important, you should not overlook the importance of privatizing your social life.

    Thankfully, social networks like Facebook and Instagram have efficient and effective privacy settings that allow you to change your profile to private.

    Through such a move, one can ensure that only their followers or friends will be able to interact or see their profile.

    Be careful with pictures and posts

    Obviously, you have to be cautious about posting your financial and personal details on social media. However, it would be best if you were vigilant about what pictures and posts you make as well.

    There are several impersonators or people with malicious objectives and intentions, making it essential to know the value of privacy.

    Social media rules should include not posting your location


    Yet another mistake users make is adding their location virtually. Remember, this can endanger your safety not only digitally but physically as well.

    Tagging your current location might feel good when you are traveling overseas, but the reality is, you are telling unknown people that there’s no one at home. High school students, while on vacation with their parents, often make such a mistake.

    Block unfriendly connections to boost social media safety

    Even though social media is an effective yet practical platform to communicate with people, you do not know much about their credibility. There is a chance that you might meet people who are not so friendly.

    Fortunately, you can protect your profile from stalking, harassment, or unwanted contacts simply by blocking them.

    Watch the clock


    As a high school student, you should be focused on building your future instead of spending hours scrolling through your social media posts.

    Social networking platforms can make you less productive and peak procrastination. Hours and hours tend to go by, which is not good for practicing sports or music, getting homework done, or even reading.

    Instead, use social media in moderation so you can focus on more important things.

    In conclusion

    Remember, this is your golden age. As a student, you can either use social media or abuse it. So, be responsible and choose what’s best for your future.

    Can you think of any fun ways to teach internet safety?

  • Help Ensure Online Child Safety with the kidSAFE Seal Program

    Help Ensure Online Child Safety with the kidSAFE Seal Program

    Help Ensure Online Child Safety with the kidSAFE Seal Program

    Parents want to keep their kids safe online, protecting them from inappropriate content, dangerous predators, or unsafe online interactions. Monitoring your child’s online activity is essential, but how do you ensure that your child’s activity is safe? The kidSAFE Seal Program makes protecting your children as they surf the web easier than ever.

    Simply by looking for the kidSAFE Seal on kid-friendly websites, parents can know their children are visiting sites that follow practices to keep their kids safe and secure.

    Supplementing your current online safety procedures with the kidSAFE Seal Program allows you to protect your kids when they’re on the web. Together, kidSAFE, open lines of communication, and parental controls can make the Internet a kid-friendly environment.

    How the Program Works

    The kidSAFE Seal Program reviews the safety practices of child-friendly websites. Sites that comply with five core safety rules can earn a kidSAFE Certified Seal.

    To acquire a kidSAFE Certified Seal, websites must comply with five safety rules:

    1. Chat and community features must be safely designed.
    2. The site must feature rules and education on online safety.
    3. Must have procedures to handle safety issues
    4. Offer parental controls
    5. Must feature age-appropriate content, advertising, and marketing

    Websites and their products can boast their kidSAFE certification if they meet these important standards.

    Websites can secure the kidSAFE+ Seal by further complying with additional privacy rules modeled after the federal Children’s Online Privacy Protection Rule. These additional standards include asking neutral age questions, establishing parental notice and consent procedures, and having a COPPA-compliant privacy policy.

    Websites that meet these additional standards will have the kidSAFE+ Seal on their websites and products.

    What the kidSAFE Seal Program Means for You


    Websites that display the kidSAFE or kidSAFE+ Seal have gone through a rigorous, independent review of their safety practices. When you and your child log onto a kidSAFE website, you know that you are using a website that meets a high standard of online safety.

    While kidSAFE does not conduct a review of the site’s content, such as its age-appropriateness, you can rest easy knowing that websites displaying the kidSAFE Seal were designed with child-friendly safety features in mind. When your child logs onto an approved website, you know that the chat and community features are secure, and the site has established procedures in place should a threat to safety or security occur.

    Even more, you know that the website has parental controls in place, and moderators are accessible to handle any problems or complaints.

    How to Find kidSAFE Websites and Products

    Tap into a searchable directory of products by visiting the kidSAFE website. Here, you can scroll through the always growing list of websites and products that have earned the kidSAFE Seal.

    By clicking on any site in the directory, you can learn specifics about what features the website offers. Within the kidSAFE directory is a certification page for each site that has earned a kidSAFE Seal.

    If you do not see your child’s favorite website on the list, you can submit it.  Afterward, kidSAFE will add your suggestion to its list of products to review. The kidSAFE Seal Program directory will continue to grow, so check back regularly for updates as more products are reviewed.

    Advantages of the kidSAFE Seal Program


    The Internet can be a fantastic resource for your children. It can enhance their technological skills, create bonds with family and friends, and supplement their education. However, the Internet also poses dangers, and, as a parent, it is up to you to protect your children.

    Make sure the Internet remains a helpful resource for your children by trusting the kidSAFE Seal Program. The searchable directory allows you to assess a website’s safety practices quickly. Paired with your assessment of the website’s age-appropriateness, the program keeps your children on sites that make their safety and security a priority.

    The program is an additional way to protect your children when they’re surfing the web. Maintaining open lines of communication with your children and closely monitoring their online activity are the first steps in ensuring online safety. The kidSAFE Seal Program serves as another measure of protection for your children when they are online.