3 tips for supervising children online
The internet can be a great source of entertainment and education for younger ones, however it is important that you maintain an active presence in their online activities.
Children are particularly vulnerable to simple identity theft as they may not have the capacity to make wise decisions and are prone to taking risks, according to the Australian Institute of Family Studies.1 Additionally, they may come across content that is not suitable for them.
Here are three tips to keep your children safe and happy on the internet.
1. Have the computer set up in a common area
Depending on the age of the child, you will need to adjust your level of supervision accordingly. Setting up the system where you can keep an eye on what your child is doing is a good step across all age levels and encourages your child to engage with you while they browse.
This is also a good way to help ensure that children have a healthy balance of technology amongst other activities. Overuse of computers and consoles can lead to a slip in academic performance and withdrawal from family and friends, according to eSafety.2
2. Be careful not to bombard them with questions
Developing a sense of trust is key to open communication and this can be breached when a child feels overwhelmed by questions. It is important to monitor your tone to sound inquisitive as opposed to accusatory and to remain calm if they make a mistake or seem to be acting suspicious.
3. Set clear ground rules on what constitutes good online behaviour
Children will need proper instruction when it comes to what is appropriate to share online. As a rule of thumb, the eSafety commission suggests you avoid disclosing any of the following personal information:
- full name
- address
- phone numbers
- school
- date of birth
- email address
- username and password
- bank details3
Write this list up with your child and keep it close to the computer to prompt them when they are unsure.
As well as this, remind them that good manners apply online as well as in school and home situations to avoid them becoming involved in unpleasant conflicts.
To help protect your child's identity, you can get peace of mind with Identity Watch for only the price of a cup of coffee a month ($3.99 or $47.88 for an annual subscription). Identity Watch monitors for personal information on forums where identity information is known to be illegally traded. If your, or your child's information is found you'll be alerted and provided with some steps to take next.
1 Online safety: The Australian Institute of Family Studies, January 2015 https://aifs.gov.au/cfca/publications/online-safety
2 Balancing online time: The Office of Children's eSafety Commissioner. Accessed August 2015 https://esafety.gov.au/esafety-information/esafety-issues/balancing-online-time
3 Protecting personal information: The Office of Children's eSafety Commissioner. Accessed August 2015 https://esafety.gov.au/esafety-information/esafety-issues/protecting-personal-information