For many children, mobile phones and the Internet are an important part of daily life. There are also potential risks associated with using the Internet, however. It is therefore important for parents to support their children to use their mobile phones and the Internet safely. We have put together the following tips to help you with this:
Talk to your child openly: be sure to discuss with your children the specific risks associated with the Internet and how to protect themselves. Be open to any questions and concerns from your children and discuss with them what rules and limits you intend to impose in respect of their mobile phone and Internet use.
Monitor their use: make sure you know what your children are doing on the Internet and keep an eye on their online activities. Monitor their use of social networks, instant messaging apps and other online platforms and make sure they are not accessing or sending inappropriate content.
Use technology to your advantage: take advantage of technical solutions to increase the online safety of your children. Parental control software or browser extensions, for instance, can be used to block inappropriate content. You can also configure your home WLAN to restrict access to certain websites or content.
Joint activities: take the time to join in some online activities with your child. Play a video game with them or find time to watch videos together. This will help to increase your child’s awareness of safe Internet usage.
Set an example: act as a role model by using your own mobile phone and Internet responsibly. Avoid constantly checking your phone while eating or during family time and be mindful of the content your consume when in the presence of your children.
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