• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Computers & Tablets
  • Phones & Gadgets
  • TV / Software / Apps / Tools
  • Tech Tips & How To’s
  • Fun Tech Stuff
  • More
    • Electronics & Gadgets
    • Health & Beauty
    • Hobbies & Crafts
    • Home & Garden
    • Jobs & Money
    • Outdoor Fun
    • Travel

Gadgets and Tech Guide

Real People. Real Experiences. Real Helpful.

a Fun Times Guide site

Home » Electronics & Gadgets » Internet Safety For Kids & Teens: 3 Ways To Keep Your Children Safe Online

Internet Safety For Kids & Teens: 3 Ways To Keep Your Children Safe Online

Pin
Share
Tweet

This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to yourself.


If you’re like me and you’re busy raising kids in a mobile world, the increasing popularity of mobile technology and the Internet often make it difficult to manage Internet safety for kids.

You may be asking yourself, “At what age should I introduce my children to this technology?”

It’s also important to plan how you’ll bring technology into your child’s life.

internet safety for kids tablet

As a parent of a 13- and 10-year-old, I am constantly questioning how much is too much gaming, social media, and online access for my kids.

Following are some best practices on how you should discuss and monitor Internet safety for kids with your children.

The 3 major Internet safety precautions you should implement are:

  1. Help your child understand the risks.
  2. Limit their online exposure.
  3. Be aware of the Internet resources your child accesses.

 

#1 – Understand The Risks

Explain to your children that there are websites and apps out there that are meant to cause harm.

If you aren’t Internet-savvy, you should read up on Internet safety for kids before allowing your child access.

You’ll either want to train your child to stay away from dangerous sites and apps, or enable some form of parental control on your device for safety. If you’re anything like me, you’ll do both.

 

#2 – Limit Online Exposure

I knew that something was amiss when my 13-year old turned away when he was texting — he didn’t want me to see who or what he was texting. Addressing this with him and explaining that having the device is a privilege and not to be used secretly has made all the difference.

Too much exposure to the Internet and mobile technology can cause a child to become addicted to the charm of mobile games and instant gratification.

When this happens, your child may not:

  • Leave the house enough to get physical activity.
  • Enjoy or want to participate in family activities.
  • Perform well in school.

I don’t allow my kids to bring their devices to the dinner table, to a restaurant, or to any family activity. This has helped to enhance our time together.

Of course, this means I don’t use my mobile device during these times either.

internet safety for kids teens

Your young child’s online risks are quite different than your teenage child. Here are 5 signs that your teenage child may be in danger online.

 

 #3 – Monitor Which Sites Are Accessed

Finally, you’ll want to keep track of which websites your child visits and what applications they use regularly. Some parental control apps and programs will help you keep an eye on your child’s Internet activities.

At the same time that I witnessed my son hiding his texts, I realized he was deleting certain texts from his phone. Sitting down and discussing this with him was only one part of the process.

Then I quickly found that there are websites and apps that allow parents to monitor all texts, even those that have been deleted. TeenSafe and PhoneSheriff are 2 highly rated monitoring programs worth looking into.

Whether it’s in the form of a computer, a tablet, or a cell phone, the Internet can be a dangerous place for children.

Just like you would with any potential danger, you need to educate and monitor your children while they’re exposed to it.

 

More About Internet Safety For Kids

  • How To Monitor Screen Time And Set Boundaries Online
  • Tracking Software Options To Protect Your Kids
  • How Technology Negatively Affects Family Time
  • Consider Signing A Family Media Agreement
  • What Is Cyber-Bullying?
  • Dangers And Web-Related Crimes Involving Children
Avatar
Aimee

I’m a health nut, a frugal mom, a dog lover, a DIYer, and a gadget girl. Personally, as a post-divorce, working single mom on a budget I have a lot of experiences that I enjoy sharing so others can learn from the things I wish I knew earlier! Professionally, I’ve worked full-time in a variety of marketing, sales, and editing jobs. You can always find me at the corner of Good News & Fun Times as Managing Editor at The Fun Times Guide (32 fun & helpful websites).

Pin
Share
Tweet

Filed Under: Electronics & Gadgets, TV / Software / Apps / Tools Tagged With: Android, apps, Computers, email messages, Facebook, iPhone, laptops, online games, online security and safety, phones, social networking, Twitter

Primary Sidebar

About Me

LynnetteI got my first computer in 1986 and immediately started writing, saving documents, and organizing my entire life on it. Thus began my love affair with gadgets and all things tech. I built my first website in 1998 in old-school HTML code -- before websites were "a thing". Blogs weren't invented yet. It was the same year that Google was born. My husband and I created TheFunTimesGuide.com in 2004 -- before YouTube, Twitter, Reddit, and Mashable were launched. That was the year Facebook started and 'blog' was the Word of the Year according Merriam-Webster. Ever since then, anytime a new electronic gadget hits the market... I have to have it. (My husband's impulsive nature to try out every new tech gadget invented is even worse than mine!) When I'm not trying out fun new tech gadgets, you'll find me at the corner of Good News & Fun Times as publisher of The Fun Times Guide (32 fun & helpful websites).

Lynnette: View My Blog Posts

Top Searches

Android antivirus apps batteries blogging book readers chargers Chrome Computers email messages email programs Facebook Firefox Free Stuff fun stuff Google gps hands free Internet start pages iPhone Kindle laptops Microsoft movies online games online security and safety online shopping phones phone service power cords reviews searching online shortcuts small business owners social networking SPAM tech gear tech support and troubleshooting thumb drives TV And Movies Twitter USB videos wifi and internet connections Yahoo

Footer

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter
Fun Times Guide logo
Shop Our Favorite Items

Copyright © 2004-2021 The Fun Times Guide | Privacy Policy | Disclosure Policy | About | Contact | Sitemap