Photo: Getty Images
I didn't have the internet and social media growing up. I'm in new territory with my kids getting on Youtube and playing video games. At least at this point they aren't on Facebook or TikTok...yet. (insert my look of horror!) How do you keep your kids safe? Experts have a few tips:
1.Use the parental control settings.
2.Understand how to use the technology - download those apps like TikTok and Instagram so you know exactly how they work.
3.Set ground rules - tell your child what they are and aren't allowed to do on social media, especially if there's been some bad behavior in the past.
4.Have ongoing conversations about social media and internet usage - it should not be just one big to-do conversation, they should happen weekly, if not daily. Research shows really clearly that kids of all ages are going to respond better to rules and restrictions surrounding media if parents say why those rules exist.
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) has many resources you can use to help educate you and your kids about internet safety including Into The Cloud series includes Cloud Quest, a fun, interactive safety adventure for children ages 10 and under to learn all about online safety.
There are also resources for parents that they can use to start a conversation with their children about online safety as well as educate themselves.
(News4)