Safer Internet Day 2020 will be celebrated globally on the 11th of February; hence, the theme is:
“Together for a better internet.”
We all have a part to play. I know how many of you worry about your child’s contact with technology. The Uk Centre for a Safet Internet has many great resources and ideas. You can use this day to start a conversation with your child or children about the internet; their school will likely participate, too, so an excellent opportunity for discussion. Here are their top three parent tips to stay safe online:
1. Free to talk
How do you talk to your child about using the internet? Most of your conversations are about spending too much time on it! Do you talk about safety? These ideas are referenced from an excellent PDF for parents by https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/. You can read it by clicking on the link below: https://d1afx9quaogywf.cloudfront.net/sites/default/files/Safer%20Internet%20Day%202020/Parents%20and%20Carers%20-%20Conversation%20starters.pdf.
- What do you like most about the internet and why?
- What’s your favourite game/app/site? How does going online make you feel?
- How does the internet/technology make your life better?
- What could you do if being online makes you feel worse rather than better?
- What is different about talking online to someone compared to talking face to face?
- Can people say/do whatever they want online? Why/why not?
2. Free to make the internet work for your family
There are lots of tools to help you manage the devices used by your family. For example, activating and using parental controls can help protect your child from seeing inappropriate content online. Check out their free Parents’ Guide to Technology for advice and guidance on how to use parental controls and other safety features on devices.
3. Free to explore differences
The internet is where many different people can communicate and come together. For some children, the first place they see people who are different may be online. For others, the internet may be where they can find people similar to them. Hence, Discussing diversity issues and how to be respectful is essential. Many children are bullied and bullied online. Moreover, do you have conversations regarding what cyberbullying is?
Helpful Websites for Parents
- Childnet, Parent and Carers Help Childnet’s mission is to work in partnership with others worldwide to help make the internet a great and safe place for children. This website has so many great resources!
- NSPCC and O2. Again, these are great resources.
- Stop it Now. Stop it Now! UK and Ireland is a child sexual abuse prevention campaign and helpline.
- Antibullying Alliance, Cyberbullying help for parents
In Conclusion
I hope this blog will inspire you to have further conversations with your children regarding their internet use. If your child is on the internet all the time, reflect on what its function may be. As a result, I wonder if many children and adults are using it to self-soothe. What do you think?
I hope to connect and share with you in person at my Parent Workshops in February for Stop the Worry Cycle and March for Positive Discipline, or do contact me for a consultation if you need some help with parenting. With Much Love and Gratitude Catherine
