With many schools observing Safer Internet Day on 6th February 2024, it's key for parents, carers and educators to reflect on the importance of safeguarding children in the digital space and what you can do to protect children from online harm.
Let's look at some of the things you can do to help keep children safe online:
Foster open and honest communication with children about their online experiences. Encourage them to share any concerns they have. Be clear about the types of websites and content that are acceptable. Creating trust is essential for addressing any potential issues promptly.
Establish clear and age-appropriate guidelines for internet use. It may be useful to set limits on screen time to promote a healthy balance between online and offline activities. Emphasise the importance of respecting privacy and not sharing personal information online.
Provide children with age-appropriate information about potential online risks. Teach children to recognise warning signs and encourage critical thinking skills. Help them understand the consequences of their online actions and the importance of treating others with respect online.
Make use of the safety tools available to restrict access to inappropriate content. Many devices and platforms offer features that allow parents to monitor and control their children's online activities. Regularly review and update these settings as needed.
Keep yourself informed about the latest online trends, apps, and platforms that are popular among children. This knowledge will help you guide them effectively and address any emerging concerns. Actively engage in your child's online world by participating in their online activities such as playing games together and showing genuine interest.
By having knowledge of the online world, promoting open communication, educating children about online risks and maintaining a cautious approach adults can prevent the risk of harm to children and young people and help to safeguard them in the digital realm.
Prospero Learning is taking a step towards enhancing online safety education with the launch of our new course Online Safety Training: Keeping Children Safe.
This accredited course is aimed at equipping parents, carers and educators with the tools and knowledge to promote a safer online experience for the children and young people in their care.
As part of the #SaferInternetDay initiative we will also me sharing our insights for creating a safer Internet for everyone on on social media and via our Mailing list.
What you'll learn on this accredited course:
- What is exactly is 'Online Safety'?
- What do children do on the Internet in 2024, and beyond?
- How to mitigate internet risk & harm
- Strategies for different online platforms, devices and apps
- Engaging with parents and carers
- Relevant online safety legislationt.
