This morning I spoke to Jamie McDonald on Brisbane Radio station 4BC about helping to keep kids safe online. You can now listen below and find a summary of the conversation.
What is the problem
The Internet gives us access to endless content while opening the door to communicate with others around the globe with little effort, but the web isn’t as regulated as other media and the choice of what we do online is the responsibility of the user.
As Adults we can make these choice and most of us know what to click and what not to, what is legal and what is not and how we should conduct ourselves socially in a virtual space with the understanding that everything we do is part of our digital footprint – an online record what we say and do that is not easily erased.
Our children, while growing up in this information age, are not yet equipped with the skills to make these decisions and need our guidance.
What can we do as parents
If you don’t consider yourself to be a computer savvy parent, it’s all too easy to sit back and think that because your kids seem to know more about the latest technology they will be ok, but this head in the sand approach isn’t very helpful so as parents we also need to understand what our kids are doing to help them avoid problems.
It starts with a conversation. You children probably need to use computers and the web for schoolwork so talk to them and find out what they are learning and what things they need to access online. From here you need to really do need to let your kids know what IS and ISN’T ok when using the computer, thinking about things like giving out personal information, how to talk to others online, what kinds of websites are ok and most importantly letting them know that if they see anything that worries them or doesn’t seem right that it’s OK for them to talk to you about it.
What tools are available to help us
Following the ‘talk’ about using the web, there are also some great tools to…well let’s say steer them in the right direction and avoid any bad decisions.
Within both Windows and Mac operating systems you will find good basic parental controls that allow you to set out things like what hours the computer can be used, which programs can be freely accessed and monitor sites they have visited.
Additionally many Internet Security programs such as Norton Internet Security and Trent Micro Internet security offer deeper controls and monitoring of your kids use and communications online along with what they are doing on social networks such as facebook.
Link – Norton Online Family (Free) – https://onlinefamily.norton.com
Where can you get help?
The department of communications StaySmartOnline website at StaySmartonline.gov.au is a great resource for all ages when it comes to internet safety.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority run the Cybersmart.gov.au website which again has areas for all ages – I definately recommend parents read the information on social networking and kids and what is age appropriate.
If you think that Bullying may be affecting your children, then Bullyingnoway.gov.au is a good resource for getting support – including the issue of Cyberbullying
