Keeping Your Kids Safe Online

It stands to reason that if you as an adult have certain protections built into your computer, you will use those to protect your kids on their computer too. It might take a little more time but your child’s safety should be top of mind.

It also applies that you may have to go further if your child is young by having child protection tools engaged as well. And nothing beats you sitting down with them and having an in depth conversation about the dangers they might confront.

Be honest rather than feeling you protect them by not talking about something because it might scare them. They are going to be uncertain and tentative anyway because of conversations with their peers who might steer them astray.

So it is better to have that talk and know they are forewarned. Having said that, let’s talk about what those precautions should be in general.

Start with proper, general settings on the computer: up-to-date systems and applications; antivirus engaged and firewall on; a browser like Firefox that is more private and has add on options like ad blockers and add a reliable malware scanner like Malwarebytes.

Then add a VPN coverage by a reliable company like Proton VPN or Express VPN that do not take logs. Be sure to teach them to turn it on when they open up their computer every day and us settings and locations that best serve them.

Have conversations about buying online that include sticking to reliable, well-known stores and discuss the secure lock setting they should look for. Get them to consult you when they spend anything so they are less likely to give away personal information.

Set up an email address that is reserved for friends online and another that is for other purposes like shopping or signing up to websites. This way you can follow where any issues seem to be prevalent.

Turn off the computer at bedtime and allow an open door policy when they use their computer. If they have a cell phone, have guidelines of that use and monitor calls and usage and help them to understand this is to be expected if you are to keep them safe.