5 Ways to Keep Your Child Safe Online
Did you know many traffickers recruit their victims online?
Here’s how you can protect your kids from online predators:
1. Monitor Their Social Media Usage:
Turn off geo-locators on any apps that use them such as Instagram, Snapchat and Facebook. Turn on “Restricted Mode” on apps like TikTok to limit inappropriate content users may see, be sure to set all of their social media accounts to private, and monitor who follows them. Out of an abundance of caution, do not let your children talk with anyone online that they don’t know in real life, and set this clear expectation up front!
2. Set Up Parental Controls:
Research which apps you are comfortable with your children using; monitor their screen usage and block certain sites or apps you don’t approve of by using programs like Bark, Qustodio, NetNanny or Web Watcher. Communicate that having a device is a privilege, and you have the right to monitor their activity and know who they’re interacting with to keep them safe. Be transparent about what you are monitoring/restricting and why.
3. Be Aware of Who Your Children are Talking to:
Many times traffickers will create fake profiles on social media platforms to recruit children by either befriending them or expressing romantic interest, lying about their age, identity and true intentions. As these relationships progress, traffickers are known to ask for inappropriate photos or videos which they will later use to threaten their victims with if they tell anyone about what’s going on. Warn your children to never send anything out that they wouldn’t want the whole world to see - once something is sent, they never know where it could end up; it is out there forever and can never be taken back. Have these conversations with your children to educate them on internet safety and the reality of “stranger danger.”
4. Educate them on the Harms of Pornography:
It's crucial in today's society to have age appropriate, open and honest conversations with your children on the realities of porn and the harm that comes from it. Utilize resources like Fight the New Drug and learn how to properly address sex and porn to your kids at the right time. Don’t let their questions about sex be answered by pornography - talk to them on an on-going basis to protect them from the damage porn can do and keep them from the struggle many fall into. To learn more for yourself about the effects exposure to pornography can have on children, watch Exodus Cry's documentary, "Raised On Porn."
5. Keep Devices Out of their Bedroom:
Stay aware of what your children are doing online and who they are interacting with by keeping all devices in common areas. Set time limits on their device usage to encourage a healthy balance of on and offline interactions ; having genuine, in-person friendships can make them less vulnerable to falling prey to harmful or fake relationships online.
