Children young and old now use computers and other electronic devices almost daily. They are often more aware of how to use the internet than adults. The risks children and youth face when online are serious. It is important to talk to them about how to safely use cellphones, mobile devices, and computers. Adults can also set parental controls to limit what kids can do. Here are some guidelines:
- Living Online. Kids should post only what they're comfortable with adults seeing. Remind them that, once they've posted something, it can't be taken back. They should never pretend to be someone else, and should ignore or block messages from people they don't know.
- Video and Mobile Games. Many games allow players to talk and play with other people, or buy things. Check for controls to let you block games with certain ratings, disable internet access, and restrict purchases.
- Phishing. Kids and adults alike should never reply to text, email, or pop-up messages that ask for personal and financial information. Never follow links in these kinds of messages, or download attachments from emails.
- Computer Safety. Kids - like all of us - should keep Social Security numbers, account numbers, and passwords private. Kids can help beat hackers by using long passwords with upper and lower case letters, symbols, and numbers. Remind kids to watch out for free stuff, which might infect their computer with malware. If they share music, games, or software online, tell kids to use security software to scan any files before downloading them.
- Sexting and Photo-Sharing. Tell kids not to send or forward sexually explicit photos, videos, or messages. It's often illegal. And with any kind of photo, it's best to ask for permission before posting pictures of other people online.
- Cyberbullying. Let kids know that they can't hide behind the words they type and the images they post. If your child is targeted by a cyberbully, block the bully's username or email address. Contact the website if profiles were posted or changed without your child's consent, and ask to have them taken down.
For more information about being safe online, visit OnGuardOnline.gov/ or consumer.ftc.gov/topics/kids-online-safety.
*The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone. She does not express the views of the FTC or of any individual commissioner.
This article was written by Federal Trade Commission Attorney Maria Del Monaco and appeared in The Alert: Volume 29, Issue 3. Click here to read the full issue.