Internet Safety for your Children

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A Guide for Parents

Making your children aware about internet safety is a must within this day and age and something that many parents overlook. Although having proper web security can be the first line of defence against the dangers of the internet, having the capacity to talk openly and honestly with your kids regarding internet security, will give you much better defence both now and in the near future. Internet safety covers a broad range of social media and in this article aims to provide you with an overview of which areas are most important. Whilst you might think about your child safe you ought to still consider the variety of risks they may face online and also the potential risks in your own information should you be sharing a home personal computer.

Social Media

Our reliance on social media marketing is huge. Over 75% of young people spending at least one hour a day on Facebook, Twitter and other social platforms. With this leap in usage there has been a serge in opportunities for offenders to to embrace cyber-bullying and online grooming coming from individuals using fake personalities and stealing others identities. Talking to children about their activities on these platforms is essential and you have regular chats about who to they may be friends with, privacy settings and whatever they should do in the event of on the cyberbullying or harassment.

Browsing the Internet

You should of course possess internet security on your computer and have parental controls on what your children may search for. However as effective as this software can be, it can not prevent your children's access to all sites that you don't want them viewing. The first thing you should really teach your young ones is how to use search engines properly. Using search engines like google and being mindful with links to sites from other web sites is a good way of making sure your child and your personal computer are not exposed to unacceptable content. If they are using sites like MySpace and Facebook make sure they are looking at the URL in its browser before typing personal details. One of the important ways personal details are collected by felony gangs is through setting up hand mirror sites with similar addresses and URL's. Because of this, making your children and yourself aware of these procedures is a good line of support. You should talk to your kids about their private information and discourage them from giving out their personal details to any business or site with out your permission.

Monitoring Downloads

Downloading has become one from the leading causes of stolen private information and viruses playing around the online world. Two key areas of downloading should really be addressed together with your children before you let them browse. Firstly downloading illegal software, games and movies is incredibly typical amongst youngsters today. With sites like piratebay.org and many others similar sites letting you have easy access to everything electronic digital the world has to offer. The issue with these downloads is that there is no guarantee what you really are downloading is actually that which you asked for. The practice of embedding Trojans into media files as well as spyware and other ad ware/malware. These types of programs can not only steal your personal information they can also damage your computer. The second main way you can get viruses from downloading is the place you inadvertently download files that you think are an upgrade for your existing software. If a web site says you require an upgrade check with the original files location rather than clicking on any download right now 'upgrade boxes' or links that pop up. You should effort to talk to your children regarding illegal downloading as well as encourage them to download by means of sites such as iTunes which can be parentally controlled. Should you keep them aware of the risks they are unlikely ahead into contact with hazardous or inappropriate material which will help to keep all of them safe and yourself re-assured.

Further Reading

Internet Safety for Kids
The Vodafone Parent's Guide is a great resource for further information on this topic. This guide is part of Vodafone's commitment to help protect kids and families in the digital world.

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