Teens’ Internet Safety Checklist

by Rizwan Khan Professional Interior Designer

The fascinating world of the internet if allures you by displaying the gigantic world of surprising things, also lurks its dark side by concealing the predator's identity. Most teenagers who have access to internet service providers through a smartphone or any other technological gadget can face harmful implications of entering the web world. The kids nowadays use a wide range of social networking sites and treat them as a vital part to form a relationship with others. Not only are there viruses, but hackers and spammers – online predators and a bunch of evildoers are also out there just waiting to pounce on teens in the digital world.

Here is an internet safety checklist for your kids:

Be attentive and keep a check on your kids

Don’t be an absolute ignorant as a parent and better watch your kid’s internet activities. Keep an eye on what they do and surf the internet. Also, make sure that your children are not involved in chatting with strangers online. Be friendly with them and show your love and concern to them. This might not make them go their way ahead to seek love.

Use a parental control app

From blocking social media apps to monitoring incoming texts and emails, a great parental control app can be an important extension to parenting in this modern world. Not only can you choose specific websites that you want to be blocked on your kids' phones; you can also block types of websites, such as ones involving dating, nudity, pornography or tobacco. You can also set it so that you will get a warning if your child types in a certain keyword, such as "suicide."

Counsel your kids

Prevention always comes before cure. It is better to counsel your growing kids, who are too vulnerable to fall in internet traps. As a responsible parent, you should thoroughly guide them about the real internet world. Tell them about the pros and cons of it, and also beware them of the dangerous consequences. If taught wisely, children do listen and apply the right things.

Maintain the privacy of your kids

Every website has this thing called a “privacy policy.” It will tell you how that website uses all the personal information about you, like your name. In some cases, though, when you’re not looking, some websites ignore their privacy policy and sell your email address to other companies. Ensure that your kids’ social media profiles are private.

Report or block creepy or illegal things online

While most Internet activity is legal, occasionally you might come across something that just seems wrong, creepy or even involves nudity which your teen may get attracted towards. The first thing to do is to block such things manually from your browser. You as a parent can support your teens and help them take the right decision.

Besides adopting these measures and establishing ground rules, you can also become part of your teen’s online community so you know what’s going on or befriend the friends of your kids.

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