Teach Kids Cyber Safety by Example

A new year always holds such promises, doesn’t it? It fills us with new hope, new resolutions, new dreams, and new energy to tackle old issues. One such old issue is that of the ever-growing threat to children in the virtual world. How do I ensure that my kids behave sensibly on the net, irrespective of whether I am there to supervise or not? How do I teach them to be responsible and well behaved in the virtual world like in the real world? 

The answer to that, my friend, is literally blowin’ in the wind–through my own behaviour. 

I have observed that children tend to copy their parents’ actions, words, thought processes and so over time, they come to resemble their parents more and more. But try telling a tween or a teen “Do this!” and see what happens. Hell hath no fury like a youngster advised. On the other hand, if you share what you are doing and explain the logic behind it in a conversational tone, it is quite likely that they will accept your policy and follow it. 

Involve kids in your online activities

So while I check my Facebook account, I often invite the kids to come and read some funny posts or check out the snaps posted by friends. We also discuss the posts and I make comments like, “Tchh! This is a public profile. One shouldn’t post such intimate snaps,” or, “That is quite a rude reply to a harmless comment. Does this guy know no etiquette?”

The kids sometimes concur and sometimes defend the pics/comments, which gives me a glimpse into their way of thinking. But I (being the good manipulator Moms usually are) know how to sow seeds of doubts in their heads. I ask them their opinion on new friend requests. I find that my daughter is extra vigilant about this, and after checking out the profile, often proclaims that I should definitely not. Little does she realize that this is helping her as well. My son, the geek, is always ready to advise me on the apps I should never download or the mails I should delete without opening. We discuss on the wrong of using illegal music and movie downloading sites and the punishments meted out to the felons.

I also ask them whether they would like me to post certain pics of theirs. There is an understanding in the family that I should be usually the one to post pics so that we can keep our relatives and cousins abreast of all that’s happening in our lives. I prefer Picasa for that.

My tip for parents

Find out all you can about the computer, the Internet, malware, and security software. Children admire parents who try to keep up with the new trends. Even if you are technologically handicapped, approach your kids for help. The tweens especially love to play the teacher with parents, offering beautiful bonding, and teaching moments.

Final Word

Before you let your kids use the net alone, check:

• Have you installed a comprehensive security software on all your Internet-enabled gadgets?
• Have you set down Internet usage rules for kids to follow?
• Have you ensured that communication channels are open between you and your kids so that they can approach you with any problems they face online?
• Have you set up parental controls to determine the sites & content your kids can have access to?

Go ahead, enjoy the exciting world of Internet with the kids.

Tags: cybersecurity concerns

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