10 Cyber Safety Tips Every Parent Needs To Know

The internet has come a long way since its inception, becoming near-ubiquitous in American homes. A study by Leichtman Research Group found that 90 percent of U.S. households have home internet service, while data from the American Community Survey found that 85 percent of children aged 3-18 had access to the internet in 2019.

If you have children, it’s important to proactively educate yourself and your family about online safety and making the best choices for browsing. Here are 10 cyber safety tips every parent should know.

1. Set Up A Secure Cyber Environment At Home

Ensuring the security of your home’s internet access is a cornerstone in cyber safety that will help you to gain confidence in your children's computer usage. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency recommends passwords on your login credentials be at least 15 characters long and not repeated across accounts. Keeping your operating systems and antivirus software up to date will aid in preventing potential security issues. If you notice any questionable prompts or messages, especially those seeking personal details, talk to your kids about reporting those requests.

2. Teach Children About Safe Online Practices

Have recurring family conversations around internet safety. Common Sense Education encourages families to discuss what information is safe to post online and what information needs to remain private. Creating a rule against sharing surnames, addresses, phone numbers and any other identifying factors is a great start. Always assist your kids in password creation, and educate them against clickbait and other means of information gathering. Encourage them to ask for help if they’re unsure about the integrity of a website or app or if they see anything suspicious while browsing.

3. Keep Kids’ Social Media Accounts Secure

Social media has taken the world by storm and is highly popular among kids, teenagers and young adults. If you allow your children to engage in Instagram, TikTok or Snapchat, have a solid understanding of the apps and their capabilities. Norton notes that each platform has its own age requirement, and following that requirement should be standard practice. Ask your kids to keep their profile settings private, and don’t forget to read over each privacy policy. Monitoring your children’s accounts, either with their login credentials or by “friending” them, is another way to help promote safety.

4. Encourage Responsible Online Gaming And Chat Room Use

While online gaming is a rapidly growing hobby, the chat features can create potentially dangerous scenarios. Many game chat rooms lack age restrictions, so it’s possible to encounter inappropriate language, crude behavior and interactions with gamers specifically targeting children. Having a discussion with your child about the games and platforms they’re involved with, and setting clear boundaries is a great place to start. The Entertainment Software Rating Board encourages parents to check the game rating and to remind kids to use the “report player” button if necessary.

5. Monitor Your Child’s Online Activities

The internet is a place of endless opportunities. To help ease your mind, there are also countless tools available for monitoring. Parental control apps can identify and block adult content sites and set time limits on internet usage, and some smartphones also include programs specifically for monitoring family activity. You can also review browsing history from your Wi-Fi router. Maintaining an open dialogue around internet safety and social media is essential in keeping tabs on your children’s online presence.

6. Know The Signs Of Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying can be defined as threatening and harmful behavior toward someone online. According to WebMD, 37 percent of kids between 12-17 have personally experienced cyberbullying. This type of abuse can take on different forms, such as using fake online identities, harassing others or encouraging self-harm. If your child seems agitated while using their phone, or has become withdrawn from others, including friends and activities, they may be a victim of cyberbullying. Regularly check in with your kids and help them to feel safe sharing any negative remarks they encounter online. Report others when needed and remember, cyberbullying can turn into a criminal offense.

7. Brush Up On Internet Safety Laws And Policies

Currently, there are few laws in place to protect the privacy of children online. The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) was adopted in 2000 and only applies to those under 13. While there have been proposed changes to this act, knowing the current laws and combing through privacy policies can aid in keeping your family safe. When joining a new app or platform, it can be a habit to accept the policy without reading through it; however, having discernment in where your information is stored and who has access to it can be critical in preventing hacking and identity theft issues.

8. Use Caution When Sharing Your Children’s Photos

As proud parents, it can be tempting to share photos and milestones of your children online. However, posting images with identifying factors such as school or sports team names can increase the risk of kidnapping and identity fraud —ExpressVPN has found 1.25 million children were victims of identity theft in a single year. Review the privacy settings offered on your accounts, and if your children are older, ask them for permission before sharing anything personal online.

9. Stay Updated On Cyber Trends And Risks

Protecting children online is a challenge when parents find themselves unfamiliar with current cyber trends and platforms. Gather information through blogs and newsletters, or videos and podcasts, and don’t be afraid to make an account yourself for firsthand experience. Keep up to date with news involving social media apps and safety policies, and inform your kids of any updates involving risks or security issues. Cyberwise also recommends teaching your children about online purchases and safe money exchanges — for example, making sure all transactions are on sites listed with HTTPS in the address bar.

10. Be A Good Digital Role Model

In this day and age, it’s easy to be attached to our cell phones and laptops, but children observe our behaviors and mimic them. The Digital Wellness Lab recommends finding family activities to enjoy without a screen involved. Read books together, go for walks, work out and set aside specific times for your family to leave the phones and computers behind. If your online habits need improvement, enforcing rules and guidelines for your children could prove difficult. Try a device-free evening and demonstrate enjoyment beyond technology.

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