28th November 2023

Responsible Digital Parenting: Keeping Your Children Safe Online

In our digital age, the internet is a vast playground of information and opportunities, but it’s also fraught with risks, especially for children. As a parent, it’s crucial to guide your kids to navigate the online world safely. As parents, the team at Gemstone understand the importance of careful planning when it comes to your family’s digital safety, and have pulled together some practical tips to help you on this digital journey to responsible digital parenting. 

Understanding the Digital Landscape 

Before diving into the strategies, it’s essential to understand what the internet offers to children. From educational resources, and social networking, to gaming and entertainment, the digital world is a hub of activities that can be both beneficial and harmful. 

Promoting Positive Online Behaviour 

Firstly, it’s important to begin from the standpoint that the internet is not all bad! There are many positive ways that we can encourage our children to become model e-citizens. 

• Encourage Critical Thinking: Teach them to question what they see online. Not everything they read or see is true or reliable. 
• Responsible Social Media Use: Guide them on how to use social media responsibly. Discuss the importance of a positive digital footprint. 
• Teach About Online Etiquette: Good manners are essential online as well. Encourage respectful and thoughtful communication. 

Educating About Online Dangers 

Whilst there is an element of e-safety included in school curriculums, it’s a good idea to speak to your children about what might be dangerous or harmful about their experience of the internet. 

• Cyberbullying: Teach your children to recognize and report cyberbullying. Remind them to treat others with respect and kindness online. 
• Inappropriate Content: Use parental controls to block harmful content. Educate them about the nature of such content and why it’s inappropriate. 
• Online Predators: Discuss the dangers of online predators. Emphasise never to share personal information or meet someone in person they’ve met online without an adult present. 

Establishing Ground Rules 

Particularly for younger children, putting ground rules in place for digital use can help you regulate their activity. 

• Set Time Limits: Encourage a healthy balance between screen time and other activities. Use tools or apps to monitor and limit the time your child spends online. 
• Keep Devices in Shared Spaces: Place computers or tablets in family areas. This promotes openness and allows you to casually monitor their online activities. 
• Talk About Online Safety: Discuss the importance of keeping personal information private, the risks of interacting with strangers, and the permanence of online actions. 

Using Technology to Protect Them 

There are a range of tools available which can aid us as parents in filtering out unsafe content. 

• Parental Controls: Utilize built-in parental controls on devices and browsers. These tools can help block inappropriate content and manage screen time. 
• Safe Search Engines: Introduce them to kid-friendly search engines that filter out harmful content. 
• Monitoring Apps: Consider using monitoring apps to keep track of your child’s online activities without invading their privacy. 

Fostering Open Communication 

One of the most important elements of protecting your kids online is to create an open dialogue with them about how they are using tech. 

• Regular Check-ins: Have regular discussions about their online experiences. Share your own and show interest in what they do online. 
• Create an Environment of Trust: Make sure they know they can come to you with any online issue, no matter what it is, without fear of punishment or judgment. 
• Stay Informed: Keep yourself updated with the latest online trends and potential risks. This helps in understanding your child’s online world better. 

Conclusion 

In conclusion, while the internet is an incredible resource, we do need to remain mindful of the risks that children can face online. As a parent, your involvement is key to ensuring your child’s online safety. By setting boundaries, educating them about the dangers, promoting positive online behaviour, using technology aids, and maintaining open communication, you can create a safer digital environment for your children. Remember, navigating the internet safely is a journey you and your child can embark on together. Organisations such as CEOP and Childline provide a safe space for children and parents to ask questions and find advice about how to deal with potential online issues or threats and are fantastic resources to help you and your children build and engage in a safe, fun online world.  

About Gemstone IT Services Ltd 

At Gemstone, we’re not just about digital development, we are also passionate about empowering our community with knowledge. Understanding technology and its impact is at the heart of what we do, whether it’s building an app or sharing insights.

Gemstone are a digital development company based in Hertfordshire, UK.