Talking with your child about Internet safety can seem overwhelming, but there are some excellent resources available to help.
Remember, protecting your kids online starts with protecting your computer from viruses and malware. Teach your kids to use strong, unique passwords, and to avoid oversharing photos and personal information. Monitor the sites your kids visit and the apps and devices they use. Create family rules concerning online time. Encourage your kids to tell you if they encounter anything that makes them feel uncomfortable, such as cyberbullying or inappropriate content.
Here are some of the tools I use when teaching families and schools about online safety.
Basic Computer Security Tips
- Tech Tips: How To Create Strong Passwords (2017 Edition)
http://www.guidryconsulting.com/techtips/2016/01/how-to-create-strong-passwords-2016-edition/ - Tech Tips: Security Basics For Windows Users
http://www.guidryconsulting.com/techtips/2016/04/security-basics-for-windows-users/ - Tech Tips: Security Basics For Mac Users
http://www.guidryconsulting.com/techtips/2016/01/security-basics-for-mac-users/
Parental Controls
- Windows 10: How To Set Up Family Features
https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/10551/microsoft-account-set-up-family-after-upgrade - Windows: Setting Up Parental Controls (Windows 7 | Windows 8)
- Mac OS: Set Up Parental Controls (Yosemite | El Capitan | Sierra)
Internet Safety For Kids
- Common Sense Media: 7 Rules To Teach Kids Online Etiquette
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/7-rules-to-teach-kids-online-etiquette - Common Sense Media: 5 Myths And Truths About Kids’ Internet Safety
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/blog/5-myths-and-truths-about-kids-internet-safety - FTC.gov: Protecting Kids Online
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/topics/protecting-kids-online - Common Sense Media: Privacy And Internet Safety
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/privacy-and-internet-safety - SafeKids Rules For Online Safety
http://www.safekids.com/kids-rules-for-online-safety/ - Netsmartz Internet Safety
http://www.netsmartz.org/InternetSafety - Sophos Back To School Tips For Online Safety
https://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2016/08/22/5-back-to-school-tips-to-help-kids-stay-safe-online/
Internet Safety For Teens
- NSTeens By Netsmartz
http://www.nsteens.org/ - Netsmartz For Teens
http://www.netsmartz.org/Teens - SafeKids Safe Online Posting Tips
http://www.safekids.com/safe-blogging-tips/
Cyberbullying
- Stopbullying.gov: Cyberbullying
http://www.stopbullying.gov/kids/what-you-can-do/index.html - FTC.gov: What To Do About A Cyberbully
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0028-cyberbullying
Social Media Safety
- National Crime Prevention Council: Social Networking Safety For Kids
http://www.ncpc.org/topics/internet-safety/social-networking-safety - AAP: Talking To Kids About Social Media
https://www.aap.org/en-us/about-the-aap/aap-press-room/news-features-and-safety-tips/Pages/Talking-to-kids-and-Teens-about-social-media-and-sexting.aspx
Cell Phone Safety
- SafeKids Cell Phone Safety Tips
http://www.safekids.com/cell-phone-safety-tips/
More Internet Safety Information For Parents
- Netsmartz For Parents
http://www.netsmartz.org/Parents