As a result of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), school closures and cancellations of extracurricular activities, our children are spending more time online. Now more than ever is a the right time to keep them safe from those that seek harm via the internet.
Parents can take simple, proactive steps to monitor their child’s online presence and keep them safe. To protect children from cyber predators, parents should:
- Ask your child who they are communicating with online, and encourage them to only communicate with friends they know. Children often do not view their online “friends” as strangers, so it is important to have a conversation with your child about appropriate ways to communicate online with their friends.
- Use parental controls on your child’s devices so that they cannot access certain websites and content.
- Know the passwords to your child’s online accounts, including email and social media.
- Set limits on screen time.
- Establish rules for how, when, and where the internet can be used. Suggest that electronic devices are used only in communal areas of the home.
- Make social-media accounts and blog entries private.
- Discuss with your child about the kind of information you should NOT share about yourself online, especially information that someone could use to find you.
- Ask your child to identify a trusted adult who they can communicate with about online concerns.
If an online predator contacts your child, report the incident immediately to local law enforcement. Do not delete messages, photos, or other types of digital content from the predator, and do not attempt to make contact.
Please check out these resources for more detailed information:
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)
Shared Hope International