RomWell Internet Guide

Online Safety

Communicating at Different Ages

Young Kids

Supervision is important.

When very young children start using mobile devices or a computer, they should be supervised closely by a parent or caregiver. Parents may wish to choose the websites their kids visit early on — and not let them leave those sites on their own. If little kids aren’t supervised online, they may stumble onto content that could scare or confuse them.

When you’re comfortable that your young children are ready to explore on their own, it’s still important to stay in close touch. You may want to restrict access to sites or apps that you’ve visited and know to be appropriate — at least in terms of their educational or entertainment value.

If you’re concerned about what your kids see online, consider parental control tools.

Consider parental control tools with these features:

Filtering and blocking. These tools limit access to certain sites, words, or images. Some products decide what’s filtered; others leave that to parents. Some filters apply to websites; others to email and chat. Blocking outgoing content. This software prevents kids from sharing personal information online or via email.

Blocking outgoing content. This software prevents kids from sharing personal information online or via email.

Limiting time. This software allows you to limit your kid’s time online and set the time of day they can access the Internet.

Browsers for kids. These browsers filter words or images you don’t want your kids to see.

Kid-oriented search engines. These perform limited searches or filter search results for sites and material appropriate for kids.

Monitoring tools. Software that alerts parents to online activity without blocking access. Some tools record the addresses of websites a child has visited; others provide a warning message when a kid visits certain sites. Monitoring tools can be used with or without a kid’s knowledge.

Tweens

Kids in their pre-teen years or tweenagers (usually between 8 and 12 years old) need to feel “independent” but not alone as they start exploring on their own. Many 8- to 12-year-olds are adept at finding information online, but they still need guidance to help them understand which sources are trustworthy.

Think about limits.

Consider setting limits on how long and how often they can be online — whether on computers, phones, or other mobile devices. For younger tweens, parental controls can be effective. However, many middle school kids have the technical know-how to get around those controls.

Talk about credibility.

It’s important to emphasize the concept of credibility. Even the most tech-savvy kids need to understand that:

Not everything they see on the internet is true.

People online may not be who they appear to be or say they are.

Information or images they share can be seen far and wide.

Once something is posted online, it’s nearly impossible to “take it back”.

Talk about manners.

Because they don’t see facial expressions, body language, and other visual cues, teens and tweens may feel free to do or say things online that they wouldn’t offline. Remind them that real people with real feelings are behind profiles, screen names, and avatars.

Teens

Teens are forming their own values and beginning to take on the values of their peers. Many are eager to experience more independence from their parents. However, they need to learn how to exercise judgment about being safe online and act in accordance with their family ethic.

Teens have more internet access through mobile devices — as well as more time to themselves — so it isn’t realistic for you to try to be in the same room when they’re online. They need to know that you and other family members can ask them about what they’re doing online.

Talk about expectations.

When you talk to your kids, set reasonable expectations. Anticipate how you will react if you find out that they’ve done something online you don’t approve of.

If your child confides in you about something scary or inappropriate they’ve encountered online, try to work together to prevent it from happening again.


Information Source: OnGuardOnline.gov/netcetera



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