One of the best things about the internet is how much information and content it puts at our fingertips, but when it comes to children, that can be a detriment and they can very easily access things that are inappropriate for them to see. Not to mention the fact that they can be targeted by weirdos lurking in the dark corners of the internet. With this article, we want to give you a few tips on how to keep them safe while still having access to the plethora of great information and resources available online.
Here are a few things to keep in mind:
- If you’re setting up a social media account (Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, etc.) look at their privacy settings and adjust them if needed. Make sure you’re restricting who can access their page, post on it, or find their phone number or email address. Limit “friends” to people they know.
- Never share passwords. If you’re concerned that your password, or your child’s, has been compromised, you should reset it immediately.
- Remember – once it’s on the Internet, it may be there forever. Tell your kids to think about the long-term effects of what they’re posting. Something inappropriate, suggestive, vulgar, or hurtful might seem like a joke, but it’s a joke that can’t be taken back. Even apps that claim to delete your data automatically, such as Snapchat, have been shown to preserve the data even after it appears to have been removed.
- Kids should always think about whether or not posting their location is a good idea.
- Never open emails from unknown sources. Those emails could contain viruses or send you to scam websites that try to collect your information.
- Keep account numbers safe. If your child has begun using the web to make purchases, it’s important that they know how easily identify theft can happen. Tell them to never make purchases with a credit card on a shared or public computer.
- Your Facebook / Twitter / Instagram page is a resumé. When companies want to screen potential employees, they turn to the web. Most employers use Facebook to find out more about candidates. The photos and comments posted by your kids could prevent them from getting that after-school job or even get them fired from the one they have. College recruiters also use social media to review applicants.
Also, there are a large number of parental controls and restrictions built into the Mac, iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch which can help control what your kids can do with their devices. See our articles about Parental Controls for more information about parental restrictions.
If you ever have any questions about internet security settings or unsafe emails, give mac-fusion a call at 562-598-0000 or send us an email at mf.info@mac-fusion.com.