Who doesn’t love Christmas? It is such a wonderful time to catch-up with family and have a few laughs. I’m sure our children look forward to this family celebration time and greeting the distant relatives, including the Aunty with the prickly moustache… or … maybe their gaze is firmly focused excitedly at the gifts under that tree? “could there be a new mobile device?” …
STOP!!!! Amongst all that frenzied shopping for presents, wrapping and tagging, organising the bbq, school runs and work…
- Did anyone check to see how that device will be used online?
- Do you know how the device works?
- Do you know if there are any parental settings needed?
- Could there be an unwanted discovery at your child’s next online click?
Phew! I’m so glad to hear you have all that covered… that could have been a disaster!
With the craziness of this time of year, perhaps it has slipped your mind, it can happen. Here is some good news, while you are in possession of the devices, YOU still hold all the power….mwaaaahhahahaaa! Even after you hand it over, you’re still the provider of said device and connection to the online world, so let’s get on top of it!
Here is a small checklist that Cybersafe Families would like to share with you:
- set parental settings
- check the ratings of games, movies, and apps
- ensure age appropriate websites are being used
- check social media age restrictions
- monitor selfies and other images
- check account privacy settings
- never share personal information
- discuss password safety
- set time limits
- check camera and location settings
- talk about stranger danger
- use a family contract
- search engine settings
- use web filtering
Well these are just a few tips, but at least it gives you a starting point. There is so much more to understand about these topics and Cybersafe Families are here to help. We have developed a “Get Started” pack to help parents and guardians be armed and ready for what may be just around the corner in the online world. We don’t hand the car keys over to our children if they don’t know how to drive, the same can be said here. We love children as much as you do and want that wonderful new device to be a great learning tool and provider of lots of fun.
Wishing a Merry Christmas to all families!