The summer months are finally here! While this is an exciting time for children to be out of school and have fun with their friends, parents should be aware of the increased risk of online exploitation. With unlimited free time and decreased supervision, children can get themselves into a bit of trouble on the Internet. In 2024, reports of online enticement rose by 192% according to NCMEC’s CyberTipline reports. It is important to have an open conversation with your child about online safety and the dangers of the Internet to protect them.
Below are some tips for parents to consider implementing to help keep their child safe from online exploitation.
- Have an honest conversation about their social media and Internet usage.
- Set screen time limits that are realistic.
- Establish rules on what they can share online.
- Help them set privacy settings- no public profiles for anyone under 18 years old.
- Help them create strong passwords.
- Talk about friends lists and only adding people they know in real life.
- Learn about reporting options and discuss them together.
- Monitor their online activity and learn about the apps that they use.
- Utilize parental controls on their devices.
- Discuss not posting their location on social media.
- Create a safety plan in case they ever feel scared by something they see or experience online.
- Encourage them to connect with friends in real life.