How can parents help kids be safe on their computers?
Parents have had to learn computers, but our children have grown up with computers.
What’s the difference, well we have had to teach ourselves how to adjust to using an electronic device to help with our daily tasks. Children are more wired towards electronic devices as they have seen us parents from an early age using them. They started learning from day one!
Most children these days would have some sort of electronic device for themselves. Have you ever just sat back and watched how they interact with these devices, ever had a child take your phone and fix a problem you couldn’t quite sort out? This is what I mean by they are wired towards electronics. However, just because they may know there way around a device or be a little more savvy in helping us older generation at times to navigate, are they actually being safe?
Upon my research for this topic I found a great website: https://beinternetawesome.withgoogle.com/en
Google in partnership with iKeepSafe have developed a FREE web-based game called “Interland” which is part of “Be Internet Awesome” designed to help children be a little more wary of what they are doing when on the computer and in particular when connected to the internet.
This game used in conjunction with the training guide will help your child be safer and confident when online. There are 5 lessons:
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Smart – share with care
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Alert – don’t fall for the fake
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Strong – secure your secrets
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Kind – it’s cool to be kind
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Brave – when in doubt, talk about it
I would actually recommend the adults try this as well as it is quite informative.
There is also a link down the bottom of their page under “Additional Resources” for “Being a Good Digital BFF” something that is of a hot topic atm. You will also see that they have other useful tips and guides for parents with children using the internet.
So if you want to have a little helping hand with your child’s technology have a look at this website as it might just help you open that communication at home with your child.