Keep Kids Safe Online

We all know the amount of time kids spend online has risen dramatically since the pandemic. They connect to learn, play, and interact with friends. Did you know cybercrimes are also on the rise? Here are three quick tips to help keep kids safe and happy.

1. Talk to your kids about online safety. Let them know they can talk to you about what they see online, especially if it makes them feel sad or scared.
2. Set boundaries and expectations. Agree as a family on how long they can play games or interact with friends. You might decide on no devices at dinner or after a certain time.
3. Get to know online safety tools. Most browsers include a “safe search” option, usually in the “settings” menu. Parental controls are also available on most devices.

Stop cyberbullying before it starts

Cyberbullying can lead to emotional stress. In some cases, it has even led to suicide. It’s important to talk with kids about their behaviors as well as how others treat them. Make sure they know they can come to you with any concerns. A few quick tips? Remind your kids to:

• Keep passwords secret from other kids: Parents should have passwords. Kids should never share a password with a friend.

• Think carefully about what they post: Being kind helps keep kids safe. Ask them to never share anything that could hurt or embarrass anyone.

• Think about who will see what they post: Privacy settings can help control who sees what. But you never know when someone will forward a comment or photo.