Cyber Safety Tips

Why is cyber safety important?

Computers and online access have become increasingly part of our everyday lives, across all ages. The technological advancement offered by the internet and other mobile devices offer tremendous benefits that make things easier. However, it is important that children, especially younger aged children are advised about the dangers that might lurk around the web. It is important that parents are aware and up to date about these issues. “Cyber safety includes: browsing the internet, gaming, apps, texting, social media etc.

Path to safe use

Internet browsing: Understanding the technology your kids will be using is important. Here are some quick tips to consider:

• Log onto the internet with your child to discuss safety rules and why they are important.
• Start by using your internet provider’s parent-control settings to block access to inappropriate websites.
• Install computer software that restricts the sharing of personal information.
• Insure that screen names, email addresses, etc. do not reveal your child’s name, gender, or location.
• Be aware of your child’s use of the internet outside the home, i.e. school, friends devices, library, etc.
• Follow enhanced privacy practices, such as deleting cookies (the computer function that allows websites to remember your information); Use browsers in the “incognito mode”; install from secure sites, anti-malware, anti-virus software.

Social media: Talk to your teen about which social media sites are acceptable. However, experts recommend only mainstream sites. Parents need to be aware of new and popular sites and monitor their child’s posting.

Gaming: Gaming without the exchange of money, financial information, or communication with strangers is generally safe. Check your child’s websites and apps to see if his or her games promote conversations with strangers or require the use of a credit card or financial information.

Cyberbullying: Cyberbullying differs from traditional bullying. It occurs online, often anonymously, through social media sites and messaging, texts, or email. It spreads quickly to big groups and can occur at all times of the day and night.

Teach your child to:

• Use appropriate language, not participate in gossip, and treat others with kindness and respect while online.
• Ignore or do not respond to texts, posts, or messages from others who are rude and displaying bully behavior.
• Tell them not to forward online gossip to others.
• Block bullies or offensive contacts from your child’s phone.
• Seek advice from a trusted adult when they feel threatened or bullied. Make sure you and the other adults believe your child.
• Understand they did nothing to encourage it.
• Learn appropriate ways to handle it.
• Tell you about the bullying so you can report it to the school and local law enforcement.
• Work with a counselor to overcome the negative effects of being bullied.

Strangers and predators: Teach your child not to talk with people they don’t already know. Tell them never to meet with someone they don’t know and have met through the internet or a text message. Online strangers and predators are just as dangerous as those you meet face-to-face.

Your child should never talk to strangers online. That includes not talking to players they don’t know in online games. Your child should never give out personal information (their name or those of family members), phone numbers, address, passwords, or location. Monitor bank accounts and phone records (yours and theirs).

Photos and videos: Tell your child not to take or send inappropriate photos or videos of themselves or others (such as those where he or she may be naked or participating in sexual activity, or in any other inappropriate situation). Photos and videos do live on websites and social media forever, even after they have been deleted. A good rule of thumb is to remind your child not to post photos they wouldn’t want you, as their parents, to see.

App downloads: All of the same advice applies to the security, privacy, purchases, and parent monitoring for apps. Apps are usually accessible on mobile phones and other mobile devices, such as tablets. Some apps are free (which means your child might download them without your knowledge) and some are fee-based.

Chat rooms and group texts: Make sure the chat room or group text topic is a safe, healthy topic approved by you. Check that the chat rooms or group text are associated with trusted sources.

*Remember*

• Inappropriate photos and videos can be distributed to a large audience in a matter of seconds.
• Sharing personal information is dangerous. Even when it’s shared with friends, it can fall into the wrong hands.
• Downloading inappropriate websites and apps, or joining inappropriate social media sites can lead to communication with strangers.
• Cyberbullying can affect your child’s emotional well being. This can lead to your child skipping school, withdrawing from people and things they once liked, doing poorly in school, having anxiety or depression, and having thoughts of suicide. It can negatively impact your child’s overall mood, appetite, behavior, and sleep.
• Also check with your child’s school and other community resources  to see what rules and protection they have in place for internet safety.
• Nothing is 100% effective, but limiting your child’s time on the internet and taking these and other proactive steps can help reduce the threat.

Culled from and for more information – familydoctor.org

This information provides a general overview and may not apply to everyone. Feel free to contact us, if you have any questions about this or other topics.