Keep Your Kids Safe Online: Empower Them to Make Good Choices!

Carrie Silver-Stock

Technology has changed the way we interact, especially our teens.  Many parents are trying to catch up with their kids in understanding how they are playing and using computers, cell phones, and other technology. 

It’s natural for teens to think they know all of the dangers or worse, they are immune or invincible to problems online.

by Carrie Silver-Stock
Teen Expert and Award Winning Author

Talk to Your Kids About Online Safety!

This makes talking to them even more important!  The key action you can take to keep your kids safe online…is to “empower” them to make good choices.

In my last article I shared information that parents need to know about their kids and online safety.  In this article I’d like to offer tips that you can use to begin empowering conversations with your kids!

Following are 7 tips on how to do just that!  

1. Create Positive Ongoing Discussions

Start conversations about online safety as soon as your kids are interacting online.  Keep them conversational so your kids feel empowered to share input and ideas, while listening to new things you might share. 

2. Discuss the Dangers

Don’t be afraid to discuss the dangers with your kids.  Approach this conversation in an empowering way. 

Ask for their input first about stories or problems they’ve seen or heard about from their friends. This will keep them involved and engaged.    

As you discuss the dangers, you may be surprised to learn how much your child already knows. 

3. Kids Forget What They Post is Permanent

Teens can be impulsive. It’s easy for them to get caught up in the moment and forget pictures and words they post online are permanent. Remind them that even if they delete a picture, they have no idea where in the digital world that picture is stored, or who has already forwarded that image. 

Encourage your kids to consider that anyone can see the picture or read their words including their peers, teachers, employers, or future college. 

4. Remind Them Online Identities are Misleading

When young people are online it’s easy for them to forget that they never really know who they’re talking with.  Your daughter might think she’s talking to her best friend, but doesn’t realize three more people walked into the room.   Teens have also been lured by strangers pretending to be a helpful friend when the real intent is to harm them. 

Ask your son or daughter what  examples they’ve seen…this will help start a good and empowering conversation.

5. Don’t Share Passwords

It’s easy for teens to trust their best friend with their password, but what if they stop being best friends?  Or, what if the best friend shares that password with the wrong person?  Talking about different situations that could arise from sharing passwords can be a useful reminder. 

6. Online Friends Shouldn’t Meet in Person 

This is probably an obvious tip to most parents, but very important to stress with your kids.  It’s easy for teens to think the person they meet online is safe to meet in person. 

Especially in situations where predators are involved.  They know how to treat kids to build trust.  Again remind your kids that you never really know who you’re talking to online.  Their new best friend could be a 45 year old man, or someone else concealing their real identity.  Stressing the importance of not meeting up with their online friends  is key to your kids  safety. 

7. Set Online Usage Expectations

Finally, to keep your kids safe online, it’s important to set specific online expectations. Have a clear sense of what’s important to you and what rules you want to establish.  Decide how much time you want them spending online, what social network sites you approve, how they can use their cell phone and what the consequences are if they don’t follow your expectations. 

Most important for you as a parent is to begin using these tips and start an ongoing empowering dialogue to keep your kids safe online!

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Tags: family, Home, Parenting, Wellness

Category: Parenting