8 Tips to help keep your kids safe online

Keeping kids safe is a responsibility that everyone shares, but the first level of protection begins at home. The presence of tech in your home means that child predators have a potential point of access to your kids. It is therefore crucial that parents, family members, guardians, educators, and caregivers stay informed and aware about kids and tech.

Below are 8 tips based on recommendations from the U.S. Department of Justice that can help keep children safe online:

1. DISCUSS

Discuss internet safety with your kids. Before they go online, develop a safety plan that includes clear guidelines. The plan should also help children spot warning signs and encourage them to communicate their experiences, concerns, and observations.

2. SUPERVISE

Supervise children’s internet use, particularly the activities of younger children. Regularly check their profiles, who they interact with, and what they post. Restrict the use of electronic devices to open areas of the home that are commonly used by everyone. Set time limits for online activities.

3. REVIEW

Review all apps, games, social media sites, and other materials before they are downloaded or used by children. Understand content and how they operate. Online predators frequently make use of end-to-end encryption, DMs, video chats, anonymity settings, file uploads, and similar features when targeting children, so be on particular lookout for these items.

4. UTILIZE

Utilize parental controls on electronic devices and any apps, games, and sites that your children engage with. Adjust privacy settings so that you can access content and supervise activities.

5. INFORM

Inform children about the risks of sharing personal information, photos, videos, etc. online. Set rules about what they can and can’t share. Kids should understand that any material they share online, including images, will be permanently accessible on the internet.

6. TEACH

Teach kids about body safety and boundaries – and of the importance of saying “no” to inappropriate requests, whether they occur in a physical or online environment. Keep channels of communication open so that your kids feel free to speak with you when they sense a boundary is being violated.

7. STAY ALERT

Stay alert for signs of possible abuse. They include, but are not limited to, changes in how children use devices, attempts to conceal online activity, and behavioral changes like sudden outbursts of anger, anxiety, depression, or isolation.

8. URGE

Urge children to immediately inform a parent, guardian, or other trusted adult of any attempt someone makes to engage in sexual activity, violate boundaries, or engage in other inappropriate behavior.

If you suspect that someone is attempting to sexually exploit or entice a child online, call 911, the FBI, or file a report with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678 or report.cybertip.org.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. CLICK HERE for a resource packet to help keep children safe.

For more information, tips, and additional resources for protecting and empowering your children, visit the Archdiocese of Newark’s Office of Protection of the Faithful.