How to Stay Safe on the Internet (for Kids)

The internet can be a dangerous place, especially for kids and teens. Whether you’re on social media or sending emails to your friends, it’s important to know how to stay safe on the internet and not get scammed out of money or harassed by Internet trolls. Here are some great tips to keep in mind while using the Internet so you can enjoy yourself without worrying about getting duped or hurt.

What do internet guidelines mean?

Internet guidelines are a set of rules or boundaries for people who visit websites and engage in digital activities online. In other words, internet guidelines help ensure children stay safe while browsing and engaging in e-commerce. Internet guidelines might include specific guidelines about language use, whether violent sites are permitted, what kinds of interactions kids can have with strangers on sites like chat rooms or forums, and how personal information is allowed to be shared. The Internet Guide helps internet users navigate their way through these often-confusing online issues.

What Parents Can Do

Keeping kids safe online can be a challenge, but understanding some basic guidelines will help. For example, in an effort to make sure that you know where your children are going online, it’s a good idea to follow them or monitor their activity. Also, if you give your child a cell phone or tablet device, make sure they understand that they have access only to content that you deem appropriate for them. Further, make sure kids understand not only what information is considered private but also how private and public things work on the internet. For example, posting something offensive or embarrassing isn’t just inappropriate behavior; it could be grounds for identity theft if users have included personal information with their post. Finally, keep an eye out for social media accounts linked to your child’s name without their knowledge. If you suspect that someone has created a fake account under your child’s name, report it immediately so it can be taken down.

What School Can Do

School is an obvious way to keep kids safe and engaged. Educators can make their classrooms into safe havens where kids know they can talk about cyberbullying without fear of being bullied themselves. Teachers can help students understand that no one is anonymous online, that it’s okay to say no if someone asks them for a photo or personal information and that teachers are always there if something does happen. Teach your children about internet safety at home, too. A 2015 study found that 88 percent of parents think their child knows how to stay safe online—but only 40 percent actually do. The more you teach your kids about internet safety, even before they go to school, the better off they’ll be once they get online in a classroom setting.

What School Can Do

School is an obvious way to keep kids safe and engaged. Educators can make their classrooms into safe havens where kids know they can talk about cyberbullying without fear of being bullied themselves. Teachers can help students understand that no one is anonymous online, that it’s okay to say no if someone asks them for a photo or personal information and that teachers are always there if something does happen. Teach your children about internet safety at home, too. A 2015 study found that 88 percent of parents think their child knows how to stay safe online—but only 40 percent actually do. The more you teach your kids about internet safety, even before they go to school, the better off they’ll be once they get online in a classroom setting.

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