5 Tips for Safeguarding Kids Online

This year many parents are allowing children more screen time for both educational and social purposes. This means they are spending a lot of time online, whether it be studying or gaming, and they can’t always be supervised. Your children are exposed to a lot online and where you don’t want to stop them from having a social life it’s natural to worry about their safety. Here are simple tips to give you peace of mind while your kid is gaming online. 

Healthy Communication

One of the most important things about safeguarding is safe communication. Aim to be able to talk openly with your children about their online activities. Avoid the knee-jerk reaction to panic and ban them from certain sites or apps. Take an interest in what they are watching or playing. If you listen to them and communicate in a healthy way about you can then develop mutual respect. It will be easier to get them to agree to any limitations you want to set, and you can explain to them what is age-appropriate and what isn’t.

Online Etiquette

Teach them that there is a certain etiquette to be adhered to and that they are still dealing with real people, even though it’s only in messages in multi-player games. Explain what is safe and not safe to share, even with people they know. Show them how to switch off their location for example, make social media accounts private and not share personal details. You can find more advice here about online etiquette for kids.  

Parental Control

When you first set up your kids’ devices and consoles make sure you have put parental controls in place. This means covering the browser and filters. This should prevent unwanted content from appearing even if they search for it. Many sites and games designed for kids will have these controls already in place which is handy, and you can set age limits as well. It’s advisable to encourage apps like these for younger children.

Online Security

Internet security is also paramount. Protect your family or your business’s data with secure cheap vps. Ensure your system, data, and network are protected by state-of-the-art technology. Take your privacy protection more seriously. Plenty of games are built securely with an age limit. There is a range of options both educational and fun, which have security measures already in place. Check out some examples of safe apps for kids, that are easy and secure to use.

Lead by example

If you’re a fan of online gaming yourself, the best way to motivate your kids is to lead by example. Limit your screen time in front of them and be vigilant about what you look at or play online. Be cautious and respectable online and they will be more likely to follow in your footsteps. In the end, you don’t want to instill fear in them or pressure them too much. The best way to inspire them is by setting an example, and with knowledge and respect.