Since technology saturates kids’ lives these days, parents should work even harder to protect them from the new ways in which kids are vulnerable. The Internet provides a wealth of knowledge, but it also opens up a pool of dangers. Kids are easy targets who may be better at using computers than you are.
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If you are technologically challenged, follow these few, easy tips that will keep your children safe.
Home phone safety
Parents are constantly worried about their kids’ safety. The home phone does not seem dangerous, but it does provide access to strangers. Tell your kids not to talk to strangers over the phone, and especially to not give out any critical information, such as an address or what time parents may not be home.
Internet safety
Adults and children now live in a technological age. The Internet is a valuable educational tool, but it exposes your children to many dangers. Computer security software that protects your data and information is critical, as are firewall programs that you can set to deny access to sites that may be dangerous or inappropriate for children.
This software also prevents kids from sites that release viruses and malware. You can find Internet and computer safety services from the Bell computer professionals.
Although you may not have a Facebook account, your child is pretty much guaranteed to have one. This means that you must understand at least the basics and general privacy guards of the website. Make sure to set profiles to “private”, which means that only friends, or friends of friends, if you choose, can see what your child is posting.
Furthermore, only allow your child to have friends that they know in person and that are in their age group. Unfortunately, Facebook can be used by strangers and predators in an attempt to glean private information from people, from cell phone numbers to addresses, and anything else that the child posts.
Talk to your child about how critical it is to not speak to strangers or post private information on Facebook.
Television safety
As time has gone by, television programs have become more controversial and daunting for parents of young children. There are parental controls like V-Chips that can be installed onto your TV. These chips block the channels and programs that are not appropriate for children.
Other televisions use password protection, so be careful to choose a difficult password and to change it frequently. Furthermore, you may be surprised by what filters through the V-Chip or parental controls at times, so every now and then watch the shows with your children to understand what the programs are about.
Cell phone safety
The cell phone is the most important tool that kids should carry around everywhere. Danger strikes anywhere and anytime, which makes the cell phone so useful. Tell your kids to keep the phone charged always. Even if they cannot speak into the microphone, they will be able to send text messages.
Furthermore, similar to a home phone, explain to them how important it is to not give out private information to strangers. There are no adults that need to have a private conversation with a child over the phone.
Video game safety
Just like TV shows, video games are becoming more unsuitable for young children. There are ways that you can choose the safest games for your kids. Accompany your kids when you go shopping for video games. Look at the game rating that describes the amount of violence and sexually explicit content.
Be aware, however, that simply reading the ratings may not be enough, as the culture is shifting toward allowing more and more content for kids that used to be unheard of. Sit down and watch them play the game every now and then to see the messages and content of the game.
Any technology-challenged parent should find ways to protect their kids in modern times. Technology opens a portal to the rest of the world and all the dangers that come with it. The best tip is to make sure that your kids do not overuse the phone, Internet or video games. In the end, keep your kids safe from the world and well-informed about it at the same time.
About the Author:
A recent college graduate from University of San Francisco, Anica is a full-time freelance writer. She has already published articles for a variety of industries, ranging from technology to beauty to health. She loves dogs, the ocean, and anything outdoor-related. You can connect with her here. Anica recommends checking out http://www.bell.ca/Bell_
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