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| It's Essential to Teach Your Kids About Online Safety |
My son was 6 years old when I noticed that the videogame he was playing was a live, online version--and had a live chat feature in the sidebar. I was shocked, as I had thought that he was playing a downloaded version of the game. When I saw my son type a message in response to another player in the game, I went into panic mode and snatched the iPad away. The message was just a harmless one, but it got me actively thinking about online internet safety. I immediately deleted that game off of the tablet, and started a dialogue about online safety with my children.
Some of the rules that we established from that time on, was that mom and dad had to approve and preview any videogames being downloaded to the tablet. In addition, any user names associated with online accounts had to be impersonal, with no names and identifying features. So, instead of having a user name such as "Bobby Jones Toronto", we create generic user names that are neither tied to an actual person or location. Also, the kids are not allowed to use any chat features, and must use internet-enabled devices in rooms where a parent is always present.
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| How to Have The Cyber Safety Talk With Your Child Infographic |
I did write about how Cyber Addiction effected my children in 2012, but we're doing much better now! I highly recommend that you read that article if your family is struggling with web and videogame addiction.
The Government of Canada's Get Cyber Safe is hosting two live, 30-45 minute, nation-wide online question and answer #CyberTalk sessions (one in English, and one in French), featuring a moderator, and a panel of parenting, youth and cyber experts.
Ask questions in advance on the #CyberTalk event page, or on Twitter by using the #CyberTalk hashtag.
English Event: Wed Sept 17, 2014 @ 1pm EDT | French Event: Wed Sept 24, 2014 @ 1pm EDT
Disclosure: I am part of the Bell Media – Cyber Safety blogger program with Mom Central Canada and I receive special perks as part of my affiliation with this group. The opinions on this blog are my own.
CONTEST (CANADA)
WINNER: Lori B, Winnipeg
To build awareness of cyber safety, SnyMed.com is giving away a $50 VISA gift card! Although a contest participant may enter across many blogs, she or he may only WIN on a single blog. Contest open to residents of Canada, and ends on Monday October 6th, 2014.
How to Enter:
Leave a COMMENT below stating how you keep yourself, your child, or grandchild safe on the internet, OR, your biggest concern about internet safety. Then, use the entry form below to enter the contest. GOOD LUCK!
Posts
My biggest concern about internet safety is whether the kids are giving out personal info to strangers. It may seem harmless to them but you don't know what the strangers are doing with that info on the other end.
ReplyDeleteI am alway concerned about who may be following on social networks.
ReplyDeleteFlorence C
We are careful not to give out any information online unless we know exactly where it is going, we are very careful opening emails and any kids using our electronics need to be in the same room and we check what they are doing. (Judy Cowan)
ReplyDeleteWe have a lot of talks about never giving out personal information online.
ReplyDeleteI keep my kids safe online by keeping a really close eye on what they are don. I have full access to all of their devices (even my teens!) and I check them ot often.
ReplyDeleteBy not giving out personal information or to always trust what people say on the net
ReplyDeleteRight now my daughters are young enough that I keep them safe on the internet by only allowing them to use it when I am present. They don't have access to it unless I am using it with them. We do keep the computer password protected too, so they could not access it even if they tried. When they are older we will need more strategies though, I know!
ReplyDeletewe have talked about internet safety many times,,to not give out any personal information,etc but still alot of things to be concerned about when it comes to the crazy internet.
ReplyDeleteI have taught my son to not give out any personal info online to anyone
ReplyDeleteMonitor them the best I can, teach them not to give out personal info, and I have access to my 17 year old's accounts (fb, email, etc) so he knows that I can go and check things any time I want but he's never given me a reason to worry
ReplyDeleteChildren should not be permitted access to chat rooms of any kind without parental supervision. My grandchildrens' safety is paramount but I know their parents are aware and alert.
ReplyDeletemy biggest concern is that nothing ever dissapears off the internet
ReplyDeleteChange Passwords. contestmichelle at hotmail dot com
ReplyDeleteMonitor, monitor, monitor.
ReplyDeleteOnline games are fun.
Being played is not.
Be careful with what you post online, don't reveal your personal identification
ReplyDeleteMy biggest concern about internet security is someone getting a hold of my credit card number or passwords.
ReplyDeleteI have problems as my son always wants to go on and live onthere watching YOUTUBE none stop and then checks out Chapters for new vhs and books and wants them too much money always
ReplyDeleteNot giving out personal info, strong passwords that are changed frequently, good anti-virus and firewall :)
ReplyDeleteI watch what I do.
ReplyDeleteYou have to keep parental controls on and you need to regulate what your kids have access to. The truth is everyone's info whether you put it there yourselfd or not is available to anyone for the looking off the internet.
ReplyDeleteMy biggest concern is getting my personal information stolen
ReplyDeletedon't let them use device too much when young - have diversified interests!
ReplyDeletespyware
ReplyDeleteI use parental control settings on my phone, tablet, and all computers in the home, basically on all technological devices my children use. I also talk to my kids regularly about how to use technology. I set rules and limits, and keep technology out in the open.
ReplyDeleteMy biggest concern is someone finding out my credit card information.
ReplyDeleteWe keep the desktop in a high traffic area of the house and frequently discuss what is and is not appropriate viewing. My greatest concern is that my child will accidentally stumble across mature content while googling or youtubing!
ReplyDeleteMy son and daughter use their laptops frequently in their bedrooms, which is not what they were intended for. I need to get them back into the public areas of the house.
ReplyDeleteMy biggest concern is with the websites personal information confidentiality. I don't want websites selling or giving my information away.
ReplyDeleteMy Son only uses the internet when his Dad or I are observing
ReplyDeleteOur computer is in the kitchen. The most used area of the house.
ReplyDeleteWhen my kids are online they have to be in the same room as me so I can peek at what they're doing!
ReplyDeleteWe talk to them about how you should never give out personal information, accept requests/invitations from people they don't know and setting parental control
ReplyDeletePurchasing on line is always a concern.
ReplyDeleteMy biggest concern is giving out my banking/credit card information out online when making online purchases.
ReplyDeleteUse a blocking router to block bad sites
ReplyDeleteWe use blockers and check everything they do.
ReplyDeleteMy biggest concern is that my kids have so much access to the internet. How do I know all the time who they are talking too. Just about everywhere now has free internet access.
ReplyDeleteIf I use the internet to make a purchase, I use a prepaid card for payment. Please, do not do banking on the internet. Be responsible, it is YOUR MONEY that will be stolen.
ReplyDeleteI make sure my firewalls are up to date and working.
ReplyDeleteIdentity theft.
ReplyDeleteKeeping my son (when that time comes) and younger siblings safe on the web by site checking ahead when permission is asked of a new sites they want to go on and keeping close eye on what they are up too at all times.
ReplyDeleteI sometimes worry about identity theft. I don't shop online very often and haven't any problems so far (fingers crossed).
ReplyDeleteBeing hacked and having all my personal information stolen.
ReplyDeleteI worry about identity theft because my daughter is still too young to use the computer. However, my stepson has an iPad at home and I wonder how much he is monitored or allowed to access on it.
ReplyDeleteWhen my kids were at home we had the computer set up in living room and we could always see what sites they were on. I think with the grandchildren I worry as there is much more access to social media and I think the best way is to always have access to any device and checking all their social media sites.
ReplyDeleteI don't have social media so worrying about photos etc isn't a concern but I do have a password to get onto my laptop.
ReplyDeleteMy kids are too young to type yet so I'm not concerned about them giving out personal info. It's definitely something we'll talk often about as they get older though!
ReplyDeleteMy biggest concern is identity theft, nothing is ever really safe.
ReplyDeleteAlways be aware of what your children are doing online
ReplyDeleteI constantly worry about identity theft. I try to protect us but have had issues in the past. There is never a real safety guarantee! Scary!
ReplyDeleteBy keeping the computer in the living room, no computer in their room! :) Becky Best
ReplyDeleteI often check my facebook account from the perspective of a stranger.
ReplyDeleteI scan my computer a couple times a week and have on 4 different programs to keep spyware out.
ReplyDeleteI monitor them when on the computer
ReplyDeleteI'll be worrying more when my daughter is older. Right now she is monitered and just goes on kids web sites.
ReplyDeleteMy biggest concern about internet safety is my laptop being hacked
ReplyDeleteI keep my privacy settings pretty high and I certainly don't freely give out any personal information. My biggest concern is probably identity theft.
ReplyDeleteI monitor what they are doing.
ReplyDeletebilliondollarprincesss@hotmail.com
We don't give out any personal information on the internet to keep safe.
ReplyDeleteI sit with my daughter while she is on the computer, so i can see what she is doing.
ReplyDeleteMy biggest concern about internet safety is the possibility of someone getting my credit card information.
ReplyDeleteI try to be in the same room when the kids are on the computer
ReplyDeleteMy other concern is more for other people, especially the users of Snymed commenting right now. Since we have our full names for Google + accounts, it is worrying how simple it is to find where you live simply from your name...
ReplyDeleteMy biggest concern is identity stealing. It's very important to always clear cookies.
ReplyDeleteMy biggest concern is identity theft and privacy. It's hard to know how safe sharing info is no matter how safe anyone tells you their site is.
ReplyDeleteWe have teached the child that there is no cartoon on the internet, There is always somebody who put images on a web site. And sometime it could be a very bad person, even if the site is full of cute kittens.
ReplyDeleteWhen my grandchildren are here they only have access to my computer on the dining room table. They are allowed to use it while myself or papa are sitting with them. I feel we can protect them more doing it this way and they're ok with these rules.
ReplyDeleteMy biggest concern is getting a virus.
ReplyDelete