Safe Internet for Kids – Possibility or an Illusion

I’m no parent, though I hope to be one someday. If things are this complicated today, I shudder thinking how they would get a few years later. With technology becoming an integral part of our lives, it’s high time we find a way to control it rather than let it manipulate us. 

So how do we create a safe space for kids on the internet? Is it even possible when just about everything is tech-related and interconnected? All we can do is try and keep trying until we find things that work for us. 

Whatever I write here may not be feasible. It could be too exhausting to implement. It could border on idealism. I wouldn’t know. Not yet. But I know I will do my best to follow these. And if things still don’t work… well, we won’t know until we try. And when push comes to shove, we got to wing it! 

PC: Hansuan_Fabregas/ Pixabay

Tips to Creating Safe Internet for Kids 

Please don’t think I’m telling a parent how to handle their children (disclaimers have become too important in today’s world). 

• Consider the Bigger Picture 

Creating safe internet for kids is not an independent aspect. Many factors, like friends, family, education, entertainment, etc., influence the issue. Take a step back to consider the daily routine. Start where it began. What’s your occupation? If you work from home, how does it influence your screen time? 

In nuclear families with working parents, adults just don’t have the capacity to handle everything. And if both parents are not actively responsible for bringing up kids, it’s too much pressure on a single person. So, start there. Make a list of all issues that directly and indirectly let the kids have unsupervised access to the internet. 

• AAR of Management 

During my MBA years, I learned how authority comes with accountability and responsibility. Follow this rule at home for adults and kids. Yet again, show that you are also accountable for your actions, especially your social media usage or dependence. Furthermore, how we speak to them also matters. We hate being patronized, and so do kids. 

• Talk, Talk, and Talk 

Kids have always been inquisitive. I remember being a curious cat myself (and still am). How we handle this curiosity can affect how they use the internet. Of course, there will always be exceptions. But if we can minimize the risk, is it not worth a difficult conversation? 

I don’t believe in shielding kids from the truth or keeping them from reality. Sure, we don’t want them having nightmares. However, making them aware of how harmful unsupervised internet usage can be is important. Talk and let them ask questions. Be truthful. Discuss the dark web. Provide examples. Let them know that the risks outweigh the rewards every single time. 

• Device-Free Zones 

The dining table, bed, and kitchen can be device-free zones (for everyone). Safe internet also includes limiting the child’s dependence on an electronic device. Switch to books instead. As a book lover, I recommend books instead of online games.

PC: lorivanv/ Pixabay

• Say No to Comparison (or FOMO)

Let’s consider it from the child’s perspective. Kids tend to want what their friends have. Even if parents take every precaution to not compare the child with another, kids will do it themselves. Show them why this is not a good idea. Take examples and discuss the issue in detail. Emphasize why they don’t need to follow the herd. 

• Show, Don’t Tell 

It may sound like a rule for writing, but it applies to general life just as much. Set an example by not using your phone or browsing mindlessly during family times. A parent posting every moment of their life on social media could invariably desensitize kids to the dangers of oversharing with strangers. 

Don’t tell them to not post everything on social media or add strangers as friends. Show it to them through how you manage your profiles. Recognize the risks in your usage before instructing them. In short, practice before you preach. 

Final Words 

Some parents of tweens say a neutral tone works the best. For younger kids, complete attention to the child for a fixed time every day should help. Kids who know they are loved are more likely to be assertive and less likely to look for approval from strangers.

Finally, technology does come in handy to an extent. Devices like the Happinetz Safe Internet for Kids Box can help you set up a virtual playground with age-appropriate content and time restrictions. With multi-device compatibility, Happinetz can ease your work to a good extent. However, maintain open and two-way communication with your children at all times. Happy parenting! 

This post is a part of Happinetz - Safe Internet For Kids.