Online Safety Tips

Social Media Safety Tips for Parents

As the new school year begins, parents and guardians should take time to speak with their children about the internet, social media and online safety including cyber bullying. It is necessary that parents/guardians and their children have honest conversations about this important issue. By setting clear expectations, using parental controls, and regularly discussing online safety, parents can significantly reduce these risks and ensure their children benefit from the positive aspects of technology.

Tips for Kids

1. Spend time having fun with your parents and guardians online and helping them understand technology!
2. Never post your personal information, such as a cell phone number, home number, home address, or your location on any social networking site or through apps like Facebook, Snapchat or Instagram.
3. Never meet in person with anyone you first "met" on the internet. If someone asks to meet you, tell your parents or guardian right away. Some people may not be who they say they are.
4. Check before you post pictures of yourself or others online. Do not post inappropriate pictures of anyone.
5. Never respond to mean or rude texts, messages, and e-mails. Delete any unwanted messages. You may need to delete friends who continuously bother you or post things that are not appropriate.
6. NEVER share your password with anyone, including your best friend. The only people who should know your password are your parents or guardian.
7. If you wouldn't say something to another person's face, don't text it or post it online.
8. Do not download or install software or anything on your computer or cell phone before checking with your parents or guardian.
9. Use the privacy settings of social networking sites.
10. If anything makes you feel uncomfortable online, while gaming or when using your cell phone, talk with your parents or guardian right away.

(credit National Children's Advocacy Center)

Basic guidelines for parental or guardian supervision:

1. Spend time online together to teach your kids appropriate online behavior.
2. Keep the computer in a common area where you can watch and monitor its use, not in individual bedrooms. Monitor any time spent on smartphones or tablets.
3. Bookmark kids' favorite sites for easy access.
4. Check your credit card and phone bills for unfamiliar account charges.
5. Find out what, if any, online protection is offered by your child's school, after-school center, friends' homes, or any place where kids could use a computer without your supervision.
6. Take your child seriously if he or she reports an uncomfortable online exchange.
7. Watch for warning signs of a child being targeted by an online predator. These can include:
   • Spending long hours online, especially at night
   • Phone calls from people you don't know
   • Unsolicited gifts arriving in the mail
   • Your child suddenly turning off the computer or other device when you walk into the room
   • Withdrawal from family life and reluctance to discuss online activities
   • Talk to your kids! Keep an open line of communication and make sure that they feel comfortable turning to you when they have problems online.

(credit Nemours Kids Health)

Here is a short list of potentially dangerous apps that parents should watch for and regularly check for on their kid's phones.

• Zoomerang
• Parlor
• GamePigeon
• Chat Master
• Among Us
• Banuba
• TikTok
• Tellonym
• Bigo Live
• IMVU
• House Party
• Tinder
• Ask.FM
• Whisper
• Snap Chat
• Jail Break and Icon-Hiding Apps

Parents and guardians should consider installing a monitoring app so they can keep up with their kid's web browsing and social media safety. A few examples of monitoring apps are:

• Qustodio
• Net Nanny
• Screen Time
• Aura
• Microsoft Family Safety
• Norton Family
• Bark

It is a balancing act between providing our children a safe online environment and giving them the freedom to enjoy the valuable aspects of technology. Parents, guardians, and educators must work together to protect our children for a successful school year.