Keeping your kids safe online

Kids can also use the internet to gather information for their school projects and homework. Online encyclopedias and various educational programs have a wealth of information and can really be advantageous to kids.
Quite like the real world though, the internet has its dark side too, and we parents should take the necessary steps to protect our kids online – like we do in the real world.
This ‘dark side’ of the internet can be very baffling to a parent who didn’t grow up with access to the net.
Things like cyber bullying, child pornography and drinking games like NekNominate (a new fad that’s going ‘viral’) thrive online and draw in innocent and unassuming children.
What is quite frightening is that even children as young as 5 or 6 years old fall victim to the internet's 'dark side.'
That's why we've come up with tips on how to keep our kids safe online and how internet security systems such as SingTel Family Protection can help us do so.

1. Know your child’s moves.
Parents, keep in mind that keeping track of your child’s internet activities is not snooping around. Keep note of what sites they visit, who they talk to and who they accept as ‘friends’ on social media sites.

2. Have your computer in a central location.
If your child uses a laptop, enforce a rule that they should use it only in a central location.

3. Have open conversations.
Start this when they are young and when they are teenagers they won’t call you ‘weird’ or ‘nosy’ if you want to have a chat.
Show that you are genuinely interested in their hobbies, friends, and what’s going on in their lives and in school. Tell them that they can talk to you about absolutely anything and you have their back no matter what.

4. Talk to them about the dangers of the internet.
Share stories you hear about cyber bullying and how it even drives some kids to commit suicide. Teach them how to use the internet responsibly and not to partake in internet fads and cyber bullying.
Depending on your child’s age, you could also talk to them about child pornography. It's best to be safe than sorry.

5. Talk to your kids about online stranger dangers.
Talk to them about the dangers of sharing information or pictures with strangers online and closely monitor who your child ‘friends’ and what pictures they share on social media.
Forbid them from taking their clothes off if anyone online asks them to and show them how to block and ignore friend requests from strangers.

6. Consider disabling the webcam.
If your child uses a laptop which has a built-in camera, you can disable it by changing the settings on your laptop.

7. Agree on internet rules.
Sit down with your child and go through their chosen websites. Ask them to show you how the site is used, and, if it is a gaming website, how it is played.

8. Check safety settings on popular websites.

9. Install a filtering and monitoring software.
SingTel recently launched their ‘Family Protection’ internet security system to help us parents keep our kids safe online.
Go to the next page for more information on SingTel’s Family Protection system.

SingTel Family Protection
To know more about SingTel’s Family Protection check out this video:
For more details please visit their Website
References:
http://www.parenting.com/article/keeping-your-child-safe-on-the-internet
http://www.nspcc.org.uk/help-and-advice/for-parents/online-safety/how-to-help/help-child-safe-online_wda99633.html
http://www.wikihow.com/Keep-Your-Children-and-Teens-Safe-Online
Written by
Minoli Almeida
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