Talking with your child about Internet safety can seem overwhelming, but there are some excellent resources available to help.
Remember, protecting your kids online starts with protecting your computer from viruses and malware. Teach your kids to use strong, unique passwords, and to avoid oversharing photos and personal information. Monitor the sites your kids visit and the apps and devices they use. Create family rules concerning online time. Encourage your kids to tell you if they encounter anything that makes them feel uncomfortable, such as cyberbullying or inappropriate content.
Here are some of the tools I use when teaching families and schools about online safety.
Parental Controls
- Windows 10: How To Set Up Family Features
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/10551/microsoft-account-set-up-family-after-upgrade - Set Content Restrictions on Windows 10 and Xbox One
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/12439/microsoft-account-set-content-restrictions-on-windows-10-and-xbox-one - Windows: Setting Up Parental Controls via Sophos (Windows 7 | Windows 8)
- Mac OS: Set Up Parental Controls
https://support.apple.com/guide/mac-help/set-up-parental-controls-mtusr004/mac - Xbox 360: Set Up Security and Parental Controls
https://support.xbox.com/en-US/browse/xbox-360/security - PlayStation 4: Family Management and Parental Controls
- https://support.playstation.com/s/article/PS4-Parental-Controls?language=en_US
- Nintendo Switch: Parental Controls
https://www.nintendo.com/switch/family-fun/parental-controls/
Internet Safety For Kids
- FTC.gov: Protecting Kids Online
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/topics/protecting-kids-online - Common Sense Media: Privacy And Internet Safety
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/privacy-and-internet-safety - Common Sense Media: What Should I Teach My Kid About Safe Online Behavior?
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/cyberbullying/what-should-i-teach-my-kid-about-safe-online-behavior - Common Sense Media: 5 Myths And Truths About Kids’ Internet Safety
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/5-myths-and-truths-about-kids-internet-safety - SafeKids Rules For Online Safety
http://www.safekids.com/kids-rules-for-online-safety/ - Netsmartz Internet Safety
http://www.netsmartz.org/InternetSafety - Sophos Back To School Tips For Online Safety
https://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2016/08/22/5-back-to-school-tips-to-help-kids-stay-safe-online/ - Sophos: How to have that difficult “stay safe online” conversation with your kids
https://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2018/10/01/how-to-have-that-difficult-stay-safe-online-conversation-with-your-kids/
Internet Safety For Teens
- NSTeens By Netsmartz
http://www.nsteens.org/ - SafeKids Safe Online Posting Tips
http://www.safekids.com/safe-blogging-tips/
Cyberbullying
- Stopbullying.gov: Cyberbullying
http://www.stopbullying.gov/kids/what-you-can-do/index.html - FTC.gov: What To Do About A Cyberbully
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0028-cyberbullying
Cell Phone Safety
- SafeKids Cell Phone Safety Tips
http://www.safekids.com/cell-phone-safety-tips/
More Internet Safety Advice for Parents
- The Guardian: The ‘Sharent’ Trap: Should Parents Put Their Children On Social Media and Instagram?
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2018/may/24/sharent-trap-should-parents-put-their-children-on-social-media-instagram - InternetMatters.org: How Can I Encourage My Child To Share Safely Online?
https://www.internetmatters.org/hub/question/can-i-encourage-child-share-safely-online/
Simple Tech Tips for Home Computer Users 