Being an Analog parent in a Digital world can be tough, but that doesn't mean we can bury our heads in the sand and pretend the world is the way it was when you were a kid! Talking to your kids about online safety can be similar to talking to your kids about the birds-and-the-bees. You need to start the conversation earlier than you think, you need to add more information over the years as they get older, you want to make sure they have the facts, and you want to make sure they stay safe. If you're not sure how to start the conversation about digital safety, or staying safe online, there are a number of resources available to help you and you may find it much less nerve wracking than the "other" talk. Onguard Online is a website from the FTC to help you be safe, secure and responsible online. There is a section on their site "Talk to your Kids" which offers tips for parents of younger children, tweens, and teens. Kids are using computers as soon as they start school--or even earlier, at home the family computer tablet--so it's never too early to start. Watch their video for a few ideas on getting a conversation started. Our last suggestion on raising your kids to in a digital world is to create agreements about the digital tools they use. You can find these resources under the link "Parental Controls." These checklists and contracts not only provide great conversation starters for setting ground rules for family internet and gadget use, but they also give you a method for laying out clear expectations and establishing consequences. Information taken from "Be Web Smart: For the Analog Parent in a Digital World." |
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