With everyone basically in home isolation and a lot of parents working from home, it’s bound to happen that kids are getting a free pass to use the internet without any supervision.
The truth is, no matter how many privacy settings you select and regardless of how many security software you install, there’s really no substitute for parental monitoring. How can you work and keep an eye on your kid’s internet usage at the same time?
For starters, you can start by having a frank discussion with your kids what they’re using the internet for. Some good questions to ask are;
- What are some of your favourite websites to use or visit?
- What do you do online for fun?
- Have you ever felt uncomfortable or uneasy by someone that contacted you?
- What are you doing to be careful and protect yourself when you’re online?
It is important to let your children know that they can always come to you if they have any questions or concerns. In order to protect your kids online as well as your own financial security, especially if you share devices, parents should keep an eye out on their kids’ online activities, no matter how old they are. Just so that there are no ‘breach of privacy’ let your kids know up front that you will be occasionally monitoring their activities to ensure there have been no security breaches or inappropriate use.
