The 2016-2017 school year has begun! Moms in Birmingham and around the country rejoice for the freedom that a new school year brings, but that freedom doesn’t come without additional responsibilities for moms once their kids get home from school. Internet safety is a huge responsibility that falls on parents. Schools in our area are becoming more and more technology friendly. More electronics such as cell phones and tablets are being allowed in classrooms and many internet platforms are being used for both teachers to assign and for students to turn-in classwork.
Communicating with your child is essential to keeping them safe on the internet. Discuss what they are doing online and why. Set rules and talk about them. Then keep talking, since your child can earn more rights and responsibilities as they grow. If they feel comfortable with these conversations, they will be more likely to let you know when they run into an online bully or stumble upon inappropriate content. While keeping kids safe, be a role model with your own Internet habits, since your child is likely to emulate your behavior.
These rules can help with keeping kids safe online; visit Commonsensemedia.org for age-by-age tips.
- Limit usage. Permit your child have free online time for, say, 30 minutes right after school to instant-message friends, play games, or visit social networking sites, but make it a rule that family time starts with dinner. After that the computer is used for homework and it’s an IM-free zone.
- Keep kids in sight. Have the computer centrally located. Your child is less likely to browse questionable content if she knows Mom or Dad (or her brother or sister) might walk by at any second. This helps you monitor time spent online, chosen activities, and resultant behavior.
- Do your homework. Check his browser history to know where your child goes online, and check the sites regularly. Use security tools and privacy features — whether offered by your browser or Internet service provider, or purchased separately — for extra protection.
- Critique content. Help your child think critically about the content he reads and sees. Encourage him to check facts with multiple sources before including them in a school report. Try to distinguish between user-generated content and reputable institutions.
Rules and Tips pulled from www.scholastic.com Parent’s Resources.
About Brittany:
Brittany was born and raised in Alabama. She is a Wife and Mama of two sweet babies- her son John is two years old and her daughter Annie is ten months old. She is pursuing her degree in Home and Family Studies with an emphasis on Child Development from BYU. She is looking forward to writing for Birmingham Mommy in preparation for graduation in the Fall of 2016.
