It doesn’t matter if it is summer, winter, fall or spring – my kids love being on their tablets, phones and the computer. Since my oldest of four kids is only 10, this has given me the opportunity to teach them a lot about the “digital” world and how careful we need to be. Simple silly mistakes can lead to disaster so it is important to sit down with your kids and set some guidelines and expectations of what is allowed and what is not allowed. This can be overwhelming for both parents and kids, so I am grateful for sites like Smart Talk created by LifeLock that gives me the resources I need to encourage healthy digital habits.
10 “digital” habits to establish with your kids:
- Set some ground rules about “safe” sites and what sites/terms are not allowed. Talk about WHY and answer any questions.
- Install an anti-virus software and if possible setup a firewall to help protect against things that you don’t want your kids to see.
- Keep your computers, laptops, etc in open spaces like living rooms, kitchens, etc, so that kids/teens are not ever left “alone” while able to access the internet.
- Set a time frame (without telling your kids) and check on them periodically to make sure they are doing what they are supposed to.
- Set time limits for how much time they can spend on their computer, tablet, etc and check the browsing history, cookies, etc afterwards, and clear them before the next person uses them.
- Don’t get smartphones for your kids, unless you put a lot of restrictions on the capabilities, and make them turn them in every night. Also be aware of apps that you don’t know and research what they are for.
- Know your kids’ password – keep track of them – and test them regularly to make sure they haven’t been changed. Passwords for email, facebook, twitter, etc. All of these you will want to keep track of.
- Make a rule that electronics can not be used until after homework and chores are done on school nights. This will keep them focused and will help them develop good habits.
- Help them think through things before they post them publicly. What would family members, an employer, college recruiter think of what they post?
- Teach them to be respectful of others and themselves. This includes words, pictures, videos, etc.
I really enjoyed sitting down with my oldest and going over the resources and guidelines on TheSmartTalk.org website. I know it covered things that I haven’t even thought about talking to her about – simply because it is like second nature to me and I guess I figured she should already know all of that :S. I think all parents do that at some point instead of remembering that our kids have to learn everything like we did. It would be nice if we could just transfer all of the useful information in our minds to the next generation – but where would be the fun in that? 🙂
Even if you have talked about online safety before, I highly encourage you to take about 15 minutes, sit down with your kid(s) and go over the great resources on the The Smart Talk website. 92% of teens are online daily, and 24% are online almost constantly. Make sure that they are safe, and practicing healthy “digital” habits. Visit the Smart Talk site to check out the online safety resources and create your own personalized family contract to encourage healthy digital habits.
I would love to know what you do to make sure your kids are safe online. Please leave a comment below telling me about habits your establish with your kids.
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.