Internet Safety
Nearly every child has experienced a disruption in his or her daily life because of COVID-19 and as a result children are spending more time online. Parents can take simple, proactive steps to monitor their child’s online presence and keep them safe.
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Ask your child who they are communicating with online, and encourage them to only communicate with friends they know. Children often do not view their online “friends” as strangers, so it is important to have a conversation with your child about appropriate ways to communicate online with their friends.
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Use parental controls on your child’s devices so that they cannot access certain websites and content.
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Know the passwords to your child’s online accounts, including email and social media.
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Set limits on screen time.
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Establish rules for how, when, and where the internet can be used. Suggest that electronic devices are used only in communal areas of the home.
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Ask your child to identify a trusted adult who they can communicate with about online concerns.