If you have paid attention to the news lately, you probably have heard reports about the dangers kids face while using the internet, including cyberbullies, sexting and predators. Your kids are using social media a lot and are vulnerable to these dangers and more. They may even be experiencing some of them right now, but your son may be too embarrassed or afraid to tell you he is being cyberbullied, or your daughter may have friends who have no idea why they shouldn't post and tag her in every photo they think is funny. Whether your kids are experienced social media users or not, here are some things you can do as a parent to help keep your kids safe while they use social media like Facebook.
Set Clear Rules
You don't need to draft a 300-page constitution to govern your family's use of the internet, but setting some clear, easy-to-follow rules that everyone can abide by is a step in the right direction. Make sure you seek input from your kids and partner before laying down the law, or they may be more inclined to be sneaky or resentful.
Don't make the rules too complex keep it simple. For example, "Billy and Susan can use Facebook for one hour a day at home after their chores are done" is an example of giving concrete guidelines about what is required to use Facebook and for how long. You may even want to print out the agreed upon rules and post them where everyone can see and be reminded.
Parental Controls
Even after you set clear rules, you still don't know what your child is dealing with in the social media jungle. Most likely, you never told your parents everything that went on in your young life, and your kids won't tell you everything, either. Facebook parental control software can help you discover how your kids are spending their time online.
The best parental controls don't turn you into a spy, but help you keep tabs on your child's online activities and alert you to potential threats to their reputation, safety and general well being. While these tools are valuable and give you insight into your child's life, remember it is up to you to respect their privacy and not become paranoid or meddle too much.
Adjust Facebook Settings
Many settings can be adjusted within Facebook itself to help keep your kids safer. The first thing you can do is to make sure their password is not a common word or something easily discovered on their Facebook profile. A secure password is only the first step to having a safer Facebook experience.
You can also disable certain features and adjust all privacy settings to "Friends Only." This helps keep strangers from looking and finding information about your child. You can also disable the chat function to reduce exposure to unsolicited chats. Take the time to learn how Facebook or your child's other favorite social media works. The more understanding you gain, the easier it will be to know how to adjust settings. Google can be an invaluable tool in figuring out exactly how to change settings.
Open Discussion
While many proclaim only gloom and doom about the internet and social media, it's not all bad. People can advocate for good causes online, and since so many people connect on Facebook, it is easy to communicate and have fun. Yes, there are things out there that make social media potentially dangerous, but that is where talking with your kids comes into play.
Don't be afraid to sit down with your children and discuss what they might face and how they can protect themselves as they venture into the unknowns of cyberspace. This is not as hard as it seems, you just have to open your mouth. The hardest part of an open discussion is for you as a parent is to be quiet and listen to what your kids have to say. It may take some practice, but try not to make snap judgments or discipline. Your kid is growing up, and if you are able to keep your relationship open, they will be more likely to come to you when they have a serious problem.
Facebook and social media are fun, valuable tools that can make a lot of good things happen. But as with all technology, you need to be smart and safe while you use it. Your desire to keep your children safe while they are online is commendable, and getting involved in their lives now is the key to helping them be safe and street smart online. Facebook monitoring software is just one of the tools available to help protect them. Remember that you are growing with your kids. If you teach them what to look out for and are respectful of their privacy, they will be able to grow up safer and have more trust in you, their parent.
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