The Internet is a very dangerous place for little ones. Therefore, parents should not leave their kids unattended when they are surfing the web. Many companies are offering their packages like Spectrum Internet assist program that come equipped with parental control options.
However, parents should take the following steps to ensure the safety of their kids:
Block Websites and Filter Content
One of the first steps that you as concerned parents should take is blocking the websites that you believe your child should not access. This will allow you to refrain your child from opening these harmful websites altogether. These websites include the ones that contain inappropriate content like adult games and porn sites.
Your device most probably comes with a built-in parental control operating system. Because every prominent operating system including Windows, Mac OS, Google Chrome and Amazon Fire allow people to opt for filters when it comes to accessing the websites. However, if you want to reap the maximum amount of benefits, then you would have to update your OS to its latest version.
Impose Time Limits and Keep a Check on Activities
Other than blocking the websites, you should also keep a check on how much time your child spends surfing the web. For this, you will have to install software that allows you to keep a check on your child’s activity. Some of the known software that people rely on for this purpose include Qustodio and Net Nanny. This software give you an immense amount of control over your child’s online activities.
Not only will you be able to monitor your child’s activities on his laptop or tablet but also on the mobile. This option can be a bit pricey, especially if you have more than 1 or 2 kids. However, the cost involves you having a constant check on all of your child’s activities. Similarly, for any technology gadgets they are using, their activities must be monitored for their own safety. In addition, it gives you the authority of fixing the time for which your child can browse the web. Hence, making it easier for you to protect t your child against the dangerous online community.
Be Your Child’s Best friend
You should have a very friendly relationship with your child. The one where he can talk to you regarding any issue that he is facing. He should be so comfortable when around his parents, that he shares things like making a social media account with you. You can then sit him down and create an account with him.
Doing so will not only create a strong bond between you and your child but it will also give you the liberty to put some privacy on your child’s account. You can sit with him and make him put all the privacy filters on his account. You can also educate him about the disadvantages and dangers of sharing your personal details like a phone number on social media platforms.
Install Anti-Virus
You should install anti-virus on both your mobile and laptop. A virus will affect your devices by making them useless. Some of the common ways by which your device can be attacked by a virus include spam emails and redirection to troublesome websites. Therefore, it is essential for you to install anti-virus software. This, too, will help you protect your child against many dangers.
Opt for Kid Safe Browsers and Search Engines
Is your kid watching too much peppa pig? For an added amount of safety and control over your child, you can opt for kid-safe web browsers. An example of one such platform is Zoodles. It allows you to provide a safe online environment for your little one. The most basic version for this app comes free. And is compatible with all the major OS. However, the premium version asks of you to invest a bit of money in buying it.
If you do not want to spend money on such apps or software and you use the Chrome browser, then there is an option for you. You can choose to set a ‘supervised profile.’ Doing so will automatically block all the explicit search results that your child could have access to.
Say NO to Strangers
You will definitely play your part by putting restrictions on devices but you need to educate your child too. Therefore, you should have a friendly chitchat with them regarding the various dangers of socializing with or responding to strangers on social media platforms. In addition, teach them that they should not entertain any such requests.
They should know that they should not open, read or respond to any messages or requests that come from a stranger.
In addition, if you believe that all of the following measures are still not enough, you should opt for a reliable Internet service provider. For me, the spectrum internet plans works the best. You can consider this or look for other available options and choose the one that you feel is the best. That will help you add an extra layer of protection.
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