Category: Online Safety for Kids

In 2021, increased screen time was ranked as one of the top three negative effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. During this time, the screen time of teenagers more than doubled from the 2019 numbers, increasing from 3.8 hours per day to 7.7 hours per day the following year, not including screen time necessary for activities like schoolwork or listening to music.

Studies also show that a shocking 50% of teens claim to feel addicted to their phones, and an alarming 72% feel the need to immediately check notifications and messages that they may receive.

Social Media and Screen Usage

This increase in social media and screen usage has led to further detrimental experiences among teenagers in the realm of mental health and bullying. It has been reported that adolescents who use social media more than 3 hours per day are at a heightened risk of mental health issues and other negative side effects such as self-esteem issues, diminished body image, or feelings of isolation and loneliness, or even cyberbullying.

For younger children, medical health experts also advise on special restrictions for toddlers ages 18-24 months, and another set of rules for children ages 2-5.

Unregulated Content

Another significant issue with younger people beginning to use social media more often is the accidental exposure to inappropriate content that is unregulated on the internet. On average, children are first exposed to pornography at age 11, while in general, 34% of internet users have experienced unwanted exposure to this type of content while online.

This early exposure can be harmful, as it normalizes unsafe behavior and possible violence, as well as opens the door to the dangerous world of child pornography and sexual abuse. In a shocking 77% increase in just one year, one third of reported child sexual abuse material was self-generated, with 80% of that content coming from 11 to 13 year old girls.

Online Safety for Children

Most parents are worried about their child’s safety online, and support the initiative to create an online environment that is more safe for them and their families. 40% of accidental exposure to inappropriate sexual content online was found by innocently entering simple search phrases into unregulated search engines.

In addition, many young children are exposed to violence prematurely through video games or video content meant for adults. It is not difficult to bypass age verification systems on websites and games, and many of these activities require communication with strangers who are often much older than the child playing.

Guidelines and Limits

Establishing ground rules, good digital habits, enabling parental controls, and keeping an open line of communication with the child are all effective strategies to ensure that minors have a safe and positive experience when using the internet.

Read how parenting styles influence playtime activities offline to help reduce screen time play.

It has been found that the majority of young teens feel more comfortable when their parents use control software to keep them safe online. As the internet and social media continue to develop, there are many options and strategies for families to ensure that their children are having nothing but positive experiences online.

Check out this Infographic of what unlimited screen time can do to kids:

It’s never too early to teach internet safety. Children of every age need to be guided and given boundaries online, including even the youngest family members. Review this internet safety checklist for preschoolers.

Parents did not have to educate their children about laptops’ safe usage in the past. This is because laptops were not easily accessible. And when children did use a laptop, they were no longer children who needed to be taught.  Everything has changed now.

As per research, half of all Two to four-year-olds (53 percent) have used a computer.  If you’re a parent or guardian considering introducing your youngster to computers, here are a few pointers to get you started:

Establish strict basic rules.

You may need to explain to youngsters that a laptop is not a toy, depending on their age. After that, you should set some ground rules for when and how your child may use the gadget. Consider designating a distinct portion of your house as a devoted work location, for example, the desk in the living room or the table in the kitchen.

Determine if an adult should be present in the room or nearby whenever your youngster uses the laptop. You may also want to establish limits on how long your child may use the laptop and the activities they can and cannot do online. We will discuss some of these points in detail further in this article.

Describe appropriate laptop care.

This is a difficult one. We all eat at our desks or read email while sipping coffee, but it’s a good idea to teach your kids to keep drinks and snacks far from the laptop in all circumstances. Also, emphasize that the mouse, keyboard, and other attachments are delicate items that should be handled with care. Explain how dropping a laptop or spilling food or drinks on the keyboard might cause irreversible damage to the device.

Purchase a personal laptop.

You can teach your children how to use laptops and tablets, but accidents are unavoidable. The greatest safeguard is designing special devices for kids to use (perhaps your old ones). If you have a purpose computer that you use for business, keep your children away from it. Chromebooks are low-cost laptop computers that may be suitable for young children.

Use the trackpad to practice.

Using a trackpad often necessitates the use of motor skills and coordination. If your child is young, you might wish to invest in a mouse gadget. If you do, make sure it fits comfortably within your child’s hand. They will have difficulties browsing menus and executing basic activities if they are physically unable to grip or operate a mouse. Keep in mind that whether you use a trackpad or a mouse, you can always modify the cursor speed and sensitivity from the control panel of your laptop.

Choose age-appropriate apps.

Young children whose motor skills are still developing may be unable to utilize programs that need them to click on extremely small things. They may also have difficulty scrolling. Several applications allow you to change your device’s interface containing more prominent icons and kid-friendly options.

Bookmark commonly visited URLs.

For added security, bookmarks are a terrific method for your child to store and organize certain websites and programs so they can quickly revisit them. Talk with your child and save the URLs you believe will be used the most. When you’re finished, show them where to locate the bookmarks and which items to click. Because youngsters can easily recognize programs by their icons, show out where they appear in the address.

Demonstrate to children how to open and log in to applications.

You may need to set things up for very young kids, but you should let them learn independently with little help. Have a printed copy of the login guidelines available until your youngster is familiar with the process.

Making Laptops Safe For Children to Use.

Children in elementary school will almost certainly use technology such as tablets and laptops on a regular basis. Because kids still look to you for guidance, now is a critical moment to establish and reinforce the proper use of technology and its benefits for your family.

Create Child Accounts

Children in this age group may need to use a laptop for schoolwork. The built-in parental controls in Windows (Microsoft Family) and macOS (Parental Controls) can let you establish time restrictions and limit app and web usage.

Privacy

Converse about safety early and very often. Remind children that what they post online remains online and that they should never reveal personal or sensitive information. Kids who have a habit of talking about their online activities are more likely to alert others if something makes them uncomfortable or unhappy in their digital lives.

Cyberbullying

Once children enter elementary school, offline bullying and cyberbullying have become a significant concern. Below is some essential advice for parents to provide to their children:

• Whether online or in-person, do not remain a silent observer if you witness bullying.
• Notify an adult.
• Speak out for the victim in front of the bully.
• Go out of your way to help the victim, such as involving them in your plans or checking in to see if they’re all right.

Laptop accessibility.

You’ll be able to control your kids’ computer exposure and be more involved with them when you keep gadgets in a central area, such as a family room.

Navigate their focus towards productivity.

You can maneuver your child’s technology interests toward productive outcomes. Digital literacy is a skill that is becoming increasingly valuable, and technology may provide fantastic educational and creative opportunities. If your child is interested, check if any classes are available about programming languages, digital design, animation, or other technology-related disciplines that can help them profit from technology and prepare them for the future.

Avoiding Addiction to Technology.

There are two significant early warning indicators you should look for to determine if your child has an unhealthy connection with technology. The first is behavioral, while the second is emotional.

1. On a behavioral level, it’s critical to detect when screens are consuming so much time that there’s no time left for offline activities, physical activity, or social interaction.
2. On the emotional front, it’s critical to detect when children experience emotional distress as a consequence of their online interactions because they’ve been bullied, shunned, or are deeply unhappy.

Keep an eye out if your youngster replaces offline activities he used to like with increased screen time, such as substituting family gatherings with screen time.

Conclusion.

As with other parenting concerns, consistent, honest communication is essential to ensuring that your family reaps the benefits of technology without suffering too many of its disadvantages. The goal is for kids to get the most out of their laptop as a student and at home while remaining safe online.

These days, kids spend a lot of time using screens. While you might not initially see a problem with digital engagement, the reality is that many children have a screen addiction. And, like any other addiction, that can come with a variety of issues for them now and in the future.

Before you talk to your children about screen time and addiction, it’s important to educate yourself on why it’s so important (and potentially dangerous). It’s estimated that kids and young adults between the ages of 8-28 spend over 44 hours each week in front of a screen. Let’s dive into that so you can be prepared for an educational conversation with your children. We’ll also cover some alternative ideas you can suggest to take the place of screen time in their lives.

What’s the Big Deal With Screen Time?

While letting your kids have screen time each week isn’t a bad thing, there’s a fine line when it comes to enjoying some entertainment and needing that time in front of a screen to feel satisfied. Not sure how to identify that line? Some of the most common signs of screen addiction include

• Your child can’t control their screen use
• They’ve withdrawn from other activities
• They’re being deceptive about how much time they spend in front of a screen
• They start having social issues

Unfortunately, too much screen time can harm your child’s developmental growth. Some studies have shown that excessive screen time can impact a child’s ability to learn, especially when it comes to language and communication. When you combine those communication issues with the common struggles of screen addiction, it can lead to more serious mental health concerns. Your child might start to isolate themselves, and their addiction could lead to anxiety or depression.

How to Teach Your Child About Screen Addiction

As a parent, your instinct might be to take away all digital devices from your child. But, going “cold turkey” isn’t always the best method for a child. It could end up fueling their dependence and possibly lead to other harmful addictions, even more, causing them to rebel or become more anxious, or contribute to withdrawal symptoms.

Instead, the best way to manage your child’s screen addiction is to talk to them about it. Make them aware of the potential risks using age-appropriate language, and explain to them why their health and well-being are more important than staring at a screen. You can even talk about specific types of problems, like smartphone addiction. If you have a teenager who seems to be glued to their phone 24/7, don’t be afraid to be honest with them about the effects that kind of addiction can have on their social life and relationships.

From there, you can set reasonable boundaries for their digital devices. That might include things like no screen time until homework and chores are done. Or, you can allow screens during certain hours of the day, but not others. At the end of the day, you’re the one who needs to put rules in place. Don’t be surprised if you experience some backlash, but when your child starts to understand those boundaries and knows they aren’t going to change, they’ll be more likely to follow them.

Come Up With Alternatives

It’s not uncommon for kids to turn on their digital devices out of boredom. One of the best things you can do to keep that from happening is to provide them with tech-free alternatives. Get creative with fun activities, and try things like

• Taking something apart to see how it works
• Creating a treasure hunt
• Flying a kite
• Building an indoor bowling alley
• Coloring

Don’t be afraid to try new activities that are out of your comfort zone. Not only will they keep your child’s interest, but you might spark a new hobby or passion that will encourage them to spend less time on a digital device and more time exploring that interest.

It’s also a great idea to get your kids outside as often as possible. Spending time in nature can help to reduce stress, boost energy, and improve your children’s mental state. If they’re having a hard time “detoxing” from their digital devices, the more time they spend in nature, the better. Go on a family walk every evening, or spend time at a local park a few times each week. Try to find activities that appeal to your child’s natural interests, and they’ll be more likely to want to be involved.

Like any addiction, a reliance on screens and digital devices is dangerous – especially for kids. Set an example in your house by monitoring your own screen time and limiting it in front of your children. By understanding the risks involved with screen addiction and setting boundaries for your kids, you’ll set them up for a future where they’re less dependent on technology, and more likely to have healthy relationships and strong communication skills.

About the Author
Katie Brenneman is a passionate writer specializing in education, mental health, family lifestyle and online safety. When she isn’t writing, you can find her with her nose buried in a book or hiking with her dog, Charlie. You can follow her on Twitter.

While there are many benefits to the capabilities of online services, the web can be terrifying to parents of young kids and teenagers. Without proper systems in place, parents are concerned with the safety of their kids’ identity.

Many adults want to ensure that their children are not incurring bullying or harassment through online platforms. Thankfully, many software systems and search sites have been created to help limit and monitor the usage of technology for children. In this article, we will share five ways that adults can monitor the online presence of their children.

1. Ask Your Child About Their Experience

Many children are unaware of the dangers posed online. As an adult, you should make it a safe environment for your kids to come forward with their concerns regarding internet usage. Let them voice any issues they had or ask questions about content they encountered while using the web. Additionally, let them know that adults are willing to help keep them safe online if they ever do encounter a situation that makes them uncomfortable.

2. Monitor Their Web Usage With Technology

There are many ways to use technology to monitor your child’s website usage on computers, tablets and smartphones. Many software packages offer safe search engines that allow parents to block inappropriate websites from being accessed by children. Some programs also include real-time monitoring so parents can see what is being viewed on the computer during each session. If your child is new to navigating the web, this monitoring will be extremely helpful for safe searching.

3. Search Your Family Using an Online Platform

If you are curious about what information is available about your family online, search on a comprehensive engine like USSearch. This platform will help draw out relevant information so that you can see what content is readily available for other internet users. This can be helpful for verifying that profiles your children have on social media are safe and free of problematic content. If you find any information about your family online, take immediate steps to correct it.

4. Converse About the Proper Way to Use Social Media

While many websites use small disclaimers to remind users not to share personal details, kids often do so without hesitation. Be sure to talk with your child about internet safety the pitfalls of giving out private information on the web (phone number, address, school name). This will ensure that your kids are safe from any potential danger.

5. Talk With Their Teachers and Peers

If a teacher or a peer has ever complained about the behavior of your child online, discuss these issues with them immediately. This conversation can be difficult because it can mean admitting that you were not aware of something concerning occurring on your kid’s web usage.

Endnote

Having discernment when talking to your kids about their online presence is important. When you gain their trust, you can help keep them safe and respectable online. By putting adequate guardrails in place, you children will learn to use the internet appropriately.

Modern Parenting: Taking Care of Children with Technology