Keeping your children safe is so important and often daunting for parents when their children seem to know a new language and one that they are not keen to share with their parents. Safer Internet Day is being supported by Pamela Whitby, the author of a unique book entitled ‘Is Your Child Safe Online?’ has selected some key practical tips to help parents protect their child. She is also available for interviews.
Although her book covers in depth many issues to do with internet safety, she has selected here just a few of snippets of advice for parents.
- Learn some of the Instant Messenger speak
- POS (parent over shoulder)
- PANB (parents nearby)
- PAL (parents are listening)
- PA (parent alert)
- P911 (my parents are coming)
- WTFP (want to go private)
- IPN (I’m posting naked)
- IWALU (I will always love you
- KOL (kiss on lips)
- Make sure that the parental controls are enabled on your child’s mobile/smartphone – all UK mobile network operations offer a degree of parental control – but it is not the default setting – you have to turn it on. Moreover most phones how have internet access and apps like YouTube can prove a minefield especially for little ones! Also parents should realise that while UK mobile operators have taken steps to limit harmful and inappropriate content to under-18s the same is not true of Wifi networks. And many children will switch to wifi networks when out and about.
- Understand websites like www.littlegossip.com, www.formspring.com and the latest parental nightmare www.stickam.com and talk to your child about the consequences of what’s said and seen on these sites. There are some signs of cyber-bullying at its worst, not to mention pornographic content.
- Remind your child not to respond to abusive messages that are sent by text, instant message, email or in chat rooms. This is difficult, but in the heat of the moment your child might say something that could later be used against them.
- Block or filter use of certain applications to prevent children from watching videos using streaming software or instant messenger services like Skype or Windows Live Messenger.
- Use a child-friendly search engine where appropriate such Google safe search or Yahooligans but remember no technology is perfect.
- Learn how to print or save the screen so that any offensive messages can be kept.
If your child has been a victim of cyber-bullying get them to visit www.cybermentors.org.uk – a positive site for young people to help other young people. - Agree the amount of leisure time your child will spend online each day. Get them to think through what they think is enough and why. And then stick to it.
- Understand the games or social networks your child is accessing- very young children now play online games that involve interaction with strangers. Know how these sites are monitored and what the educational value is to help your child get the best of the internet. Many social networks, for example, are specifically for over 13s.
- Have the computer in the family room where the children play games so that the parents can see their children even if they are in front of screens and can monitor if any homework is being done too.
- Talk to your child about their online life.
In “Is Your Child Safe Online?” Pamela covers all aspects of internet safety – from social networks, cyber-bullying, indecent content, grooming, to setting boundaries, sharing online, E-safety policies in schools and technical solutions.
You can buy the book at Amazon.co.uk
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