Here is how to make your child more aware of online stranger danger! With so many young people and teens hitting the Internet these days, it is imperative to our children’s safety that they understand what stranger danger is, and what they need to do to be protected.
This includes children as young as toddlers who are playing online games. There are even online games that have live interaction with other people. These online games do have different types of communication options. This of course can be limited, and usually involves typing. However, children are starting to type earlier than ever.
Educating your child is one of the best ways to protect them. Just saying, “Don’t talk to strangers!” does not always work. Just like it does not work in real life. The virtual world has a great deal out there. How does your child know what to do? Simply put, it is up to you to teach them. Also, it is up to you to block out the options that are unacceptable.
Children at different age levels will be challenged by new dangers. Watching what your child is doing will help you be aware of dangers. Start by watching patterns. If your child is going to sites that are somewhat dangerous, then set limits.
Set expectations early. Make rules that protect your child from certain sites. Teach your child to use caution in the gaming world. Make sure that they are aware that there are pedophiles behind those characters. Even if a person seems nice, they may not be a good person.
Set rules!!!
This is a huge thing. The rules should consist of something like this.
1.Never give out personal information. Even in a web site. There are ways that criminals obtain personal information that may look like basic information for free trials, game information etc.
2.Only IM or instant message people that they know. This is imperative to safety over the Internet. Kids so often say, “We saw a picture of them, they are my age”. However, it is easy to post a picture of someone else on the Internet. That is why you need to talk to your kids. Explain the difference between what your child can see and what is behind the scenes.
3.Have sites that your child visits in the favorites folder. This way you can check what they are looking at and playing on a regular basis. This will also prevent them from clicking on sites that they should not be going to.
4.Online friends need to stay online friends. If your teen is adventuring out beyond the close friends and family they have, it is important to explain that those friends they are talking to may be dangerous. Therefore those friends need to be maintained as online friends.
5.Talk about it! Make sure your child is aware that no matter what, they can talk to you about their life. If a stranger approaches them on the Internet about personal information, you need to know. If a stranger approaches your teen or child with sexual advances, you need to know.
Maintaining a close relationship and rules with your children will help keep them safe on the Internet. These are some basic steps and rules to making your child aware of online stranger danger and how to keep them safe. Keeping them safe will make the Internet more fun!