NINE THINGS YOUR CHILD SHOULD NEVER DO ONLINE

Things Your Child Should Never Do Online

The internet can be both helpful and destructive. The online world is huge and filled with both good people and dangerous predators. Children should always be supervised in an age-appropriate way when online. Here are a few things your child should never do online.

 1. Chat Privately with a Stranger

One of the things your child should never do online is to chat privately with a stranger. Be clear with your child that this is one rule they must obey. They should never chat privately or exchange private messages with someone who they have not met in person.

This can lead them into dangerous a territory, and you as a parent would have no way to know what the chat is about. Your child should also never participate in a video chat with an unknown person.

Read: Cyberbullying and other internet threats for kids

Read: Parental control tools – a parent’s guide

 2. Send Photos

Posting photos is another of the things your child should never do online. Any photo that is sent or posted anywhere on the internet can live forever.

Your child should never send a photo to a stranger, or even to a friend if there is no clear intent on what can be done with the photo. Even harmless photos can lead a dangerous person to your home and can put your child and family in great danger.

 3. Give Our Personal Information

Third on the things your child should never do online is to give out personal information of any sort to anyone. People can easily use this information to commit fraud against you or to put you or your child at risk.

Let your child know that they should never give out details such as their first or last name, phone number, email address, mailing address, school, credit card info, etc.

4. Agree to Meet a Stranger

Of all things your child should never do online, this one should be on every list. You can never remind a child too many times about this. Never, ever meet an online stranger or even someone they consider an online “friend” in person.

Predators know how to groom young or naive people in order for them to let down their guard. This can be dangerous if your child begins to trust in the person and consider them a friend.

5. Download Apps without Permission

Apps and other online programs have safety risks to them. By downloading apps, you are often consenting to things you don’t fully understand. This can jeopardize your computer or other electronic devices. Your child should always check with you first before downloading any app, even if they heard it’s safe.

6. Click on Links

The other thing your child should never do online without permission is to click links. Clicking on random online links can expose your computer to viruses and malware. Also, links can lure your children to inappropriate adult material online.

Children who cannot read can be especially susceptible to this. They may see a bright picture that leads them to a totally different website than the one they are on.

7. Do Searches

Searching online can be a dangerous endeavor. Children under a certain age should not be doing online searches, even on reputable search engines such as Google.

The reason for this is because the wrong combination of words can trigger questionable material, and can lead your child to inappropriate content. If your child needs to search, they can ask you to do the search for them.

8. Excessive Gaming

Ordinarily, gaming would not be one of the things your child should not do online. However, there is such a thing as excessive gaming.

As Nintendo was to their parents, online gaming is for the current generation of children. You have probably heard of or experienced games like Minecraft and other online interactive games.

These games can offer children an opportunity to connect with others and have fun. But there are plenty of risks. Any child who is participating in online gaming should have a parent closely monitoring them. It will help to curb possible dangers before they become an issue.

Here are some things to keep in mind if online gaming is a part of your family’s day-to-day life.

Risk of Addiction

Online gaming can easily become addictive for any child. And the desire to “zone out” can be strong for children in stressful “real life” situations.

It can be okay for a short time to engage in stress-relieving activities such as online gaming. However, if you realize your child is using it as an escape from their life on a consistent basis, you should find out what is going on.

Perhaps your child is struggling with school, going through the breakdown of a friendship, or dealing with depression. Instead of punishing your child for their desire to play online constantly, it is important to find out the root cause.

Letting Important Activities Go

If online gaming is taking up more than your child’s spare time, step in, and say something. Gaming should not replace time spent on homework, playing outdoors, or time with friends. If it does, it needs to be addressed.

Keep Your Eyes Open

Be aware of what goes on in online gaming. Let your child know that you will have full access to all their online activities and conversations. Frequently check over their shoulders, literally, to take a peek at what is going on.

Have conversations with your child about their gaming, and what they like about it.

Show an interest in what they are interested in. Most children will jump at the chance to give you endless details about their favorite online game.

Become knowledgeable about the games your child plays online so that you can understand when there is need for concern. 

9. Cyberbullying or Being Bullied.

Cyberbullying is unfortunately in abundance. It is far too easy for children to group together online and be cruel towards a particular individual. Bullying can range from other players refusing to play with your child for no particular reason, to using foul language and insults directed towards your child.

Bullying damages both the individual who bullies and the one being bullied. A child being bullied may seem sullen and depressed and feel torn… wanting to play the game but upset about what is going on when they do.

Read: Cyberbullying and other internet threats to kids

Last Word on Things Your Child Should Never Do Online

Using the internet is both a great privilege and a great responsibility. Don’t put this on your child before they are mature enough to handle either aspect of it. With a little wisdom, going online can remain a fun and productive activity, without the dangers.

Keep your child involved in “real life” activities such as sports and playdates, so that they don’t feel an overwhelming need to connect online.

Whatever you do, don’t forget there are things your child should never do online!

Further reading:

• Online safety for kids: A parent’s guide
• Teaching sex and sexuality to your kids

 –Discipline Basics                                                                                     –Consider Where Your Child Struggles                                                   –Use Age Appropriate Consequences                                                     –Be Clear About Expectations And Consequences                             –One Firm Warning Is Enough                                                                 –And so much more!