Ways to Promote Internet Safety for Kids While Learning Online

Online classes are excellent for your children, but you must also learn about internet safety for kids.

The Internet is an excellent tool, but it’s full of dangers and inappropriate content. So, parents must know about internet safety to identify dangers and learn how to deal with them promptly and accurately.

This article has tips on how to keep your kids safe on the internet because we want them to have a good time when they start learning online.

Let’s dive right in!

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The Importance of Internet Safety for Kids

Between 2017 and 2019, the international think tank DQ Institute carried out a study on the state of children’s internet safety online. The study was done in 30 countries, and they surveyed children between the ages of 8 and 12 who had access to the Internet.

The study argues that girls, boys, and teenagers are more likely to come across violence on the Internet. After all, the world is at its fingertips.

They are constantly online for schoolwork and homework on their computers, mobile phones, tablets, and TVs.

The DQ Institute goes on to say that such independence and unsupervised online behavior can lead to severe consequences. They cite developmental and mental health issues, plus the fact that the personal integrity of children is often at risk. We’re talking about online harassment, extortion, or worse. More on this

This is why it’s so important to get involved in your children’s education and always watch their devices.

But don’t despair!

If you take practical steps to keep your kids safe on the internet, you can keep them away from content and activities that could be harmful or inappropriate.

This way, your child gets to make the most of their online learning experience, exploit the creative potential of the Internet, and even connect with others.

Potential Risks and Dangers for Kids From Learning Online

According to a Raising Children article, there are four main internet risks for children.

1. Content Risks

This includes inappropriate images, including cruelty to animals and others.

2. Contact Risks

These risks are situations where children come into contact with strangers or adults posing as children. This can make kids give out personal information, talk to people who want to hurt them or even agree to meet the person in person.

3. Conduct Risks

This involves children acting in ways that might hurt others. In the same way, they can be hurt by cruel online posts or pictures, online threats, harassment, and negative comments.

4. Contract Risks

The use of apps, games, or toys with weak internet security can lead to identity theft or fraud. On the other hand, kids might give out personal information like credit card numbers when they buy things online or sign contracts.

Strategies To Promote Internet Safety for Kids

You might be a little scared right now, and it’s okay to worry. But the Internet is still an important tool. To be honest, your children will most likely need to use it every day.

So, the best option is to devise methods of protecting your children and family.

Set Boundaries

Rebbeca Edwards, Security Expert, Safety & Tech Reporter, recommends limiting screen time not only for playing or social media time but also for homework and research.

This will let your kids know that you know what they are doing and that they have a time limit to complete their tasks.

Monitor online activity

Whenever you can sit next to your children while they browse the Internet.

According to Edwards, this will let you see what websites they use to find information, play games, or talk with their friends, and if those sites can be trusted.

You will also be able to see how they behave on social media apps like Tik Tok or Instagram and what kind of interactions they have with the people they follow.

Educate children about internet safety

Edwards goes on to say that communication is always the best approach to letting your children know that you are there for them and want the best for them.

So, you must explain what’s dangerous on the Internet, talk to your children about online safety, and tell them they can talk to you whenever they feel something is up.

The final take?

Talk to your children regularly. Ask them how they feel when they’re online. Teach them the importance of being careful with the information they share online.

And don’t forget that the goal is for them to use the Internet safely, responsibly, and enjoyably, not to ban them from using it.

Take a look at this quote from Raising Children: “If you teach your child how to manage internet safety risks and worrying experiences, your child will build digital resilience.”

Inspiring, isn’t it?

Encourage Kindness

Going back to the study made by the DQ Institute, it says that up to 45% of all students were victims of cyberbullying, which damaged their reputations.

So, promoting good behavior during online classes, connectivity with other kids in online gaming, and positive social media interactions are important.

Kids must also avoid teasing other classmates and refrain from spreading rumors or hurtful comments.

UNICEF recommends parents pay attention to sudden changes in their kids’ behavior during their online activities, as they might be signs that they could be experiencing some kind of abuse.

The Role Parents Have in Promoting Internet Safety

According to the National Cybersecurity Alliance, parents must explain to their children the repercussions, risks, and benefits of the Internet.

It doesn’t matter that you are not a technology expert; with some guidance, you can improve your children’s internet safety.

The goal is to make online learning a safe space for your children.

A great way to start is to tell kids that any information they share online, such as emails, passwords, photos, or videos, can easily be copied and pasted elsewhere.

They must also know that any interaction on social media, like comments, reactions, posts, or photographs, can affect their reputation and have an impact on relationships and even job and university applications.

And last but not least, we encourage you to give your kids the tools they need to handle things on their own. After all, they may experience situations or have close friends dealing with online security issues.

Come up with a plan for each situation, and work on a guidebook that your kids can check if they need it.

There are ways to practice internet safety. But it’s vital to teach your kids how to react and what steps to follow if danger arises.

Build trust as well. Tell them they can always talk to you or a teacher.

Make the Internet Safe for Your Children

In this article, we included some tips about online safety for kids and how you, as a parent, can teach them about the importance of being safe when they use the Internet.

Another great tip is to point them in the right direction.

You can sign them up for a Spanish class at Homeschool Spanish Academy!

With us, you can access online, flexible, and individualized sessions with our certified, native-speaking teachers.

Check out our affordable pricing and flexible programs, and sign up for a free trial class today!

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J.A. García

Freelance Writer at Homeschool Spanish Academy

I am a Guatemalan bilingual fiction writer, translator, and journalist. In my spare time I like to read, play video games, and do sports. I’m a fan of historical fiction, family sagas, and graphic novels. I’m left-handed, a failed drummer, an amateur goalkeeper, and I drive a 1988 Subaru J10.