Internet Safety Tips
For Kids!
As a mom, internet safety tips for kids are important to me. I want my kids to know what is safe, what is not safe, and when they should come talk with me.
Rule of Thumb: When sharing this with your kids, keep the conversation open!
Let them ask questions. And let them know that they can come to you with any questions anytime.
Then you have a chance to teach your kids how to handle online hazards when they pop up. And they will pop up.
>>Note: I listed the Internet Safety Tips For Kids in bold, but I’m talking to you parents when I explain them.
The "Don't Do" List
Don’t talk with strangers online. Leave strangers alone.
It’s best that online strangers stay strangers. When strangers try to befriend kids, it is usually for deceitful reasons – i.e. molestation, selling something, etc.
No chatting, no sharing emails, none of that. Let them be.
Don’t meet up with people you only met online.
Sometimes predators pose as other people… and sometimes they don’t. Either way, they never know if the person they are going to meet is a good person or a predator.
Again, let strangers stay strangers.
Never give out birth dates, phone numbers, addresses, or emails on a public place – or even a semi-public place – on the internet.
That includes posts on their social media accounts that have privacy settings running.
Parents, if you post your kid’s birth date online, you place them at risk. If someone you trust asks for it, call or email them. Just respond privately – not publicly.
Don’t post pictures of yourself online.
…especially if the picture is sexy or embarrassing. It’s not safe and it’s not smart. It could easily wind up in the wrong hands.
If kids really want to post one, make sure they run it past you first.
Don’t post pictures of other kids.
You should get the permission of the other kid's parents before posting their pictures.
If the picture is embarassing, it could be considered bullying. If the kids are not fully clothed, it could be considered child pornography.
Tell Parents When...
Someone asks you personal questions about your body.
Sometimes people ask kids if they like to cuddle or if they are ticklish. This is a common way for pedophiles to begin “grooming” their next victim.
Someone asks you when parents are going to be out of the house.
That’s nobody’s business… unless you, the parent, already made arrangements and the “someone” asking is the same “someone” involved.
Even so, the “someone” should be asking you, not your child.
Someone makes you feel uncomfortable.
If it is mean, if it is sexy, if it is too personal… basically if your kid feels like she needs to look around and make sure nobody is looking, she should tell you about it.
Help her understand that she should not feel guilty that she got that kind of message. It was not her “fault”. It is surprisingly common for kids to feel that way.
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