{"id":10733,"date":"2020-09-03T08:00:59","date_gmt":"2020-09-03T13:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.osfhealthcare.org\/blog\/?p=10733"},"modified":"2020-08-24T17:15:40","modified_gmt":"2020-08-24T22:15:40","slug":"five-things-parents-should-know-about-online-safety","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/osf-blog.live.imagescape.com\/blog\/five-things-parents-should-know-about-online-safety\/","title":{"rendered":"Five things parents should know about online safety"},"content":{"rendered":"

Distance learning. Virtual school. Online learning.<\/p>\n

Whatever you call it, there\u2019s no denying novel coronavirus<\/a> (COVID-19) has changed the way our children learn. As children spend less time in the classroom and more time on the computer, their education should include some basics about online safety.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt always comes down to communication\u201d said Channing Petrak, MD<\/a>. As the medical director of the Pediatric Resource Center<\/a> in Peoria, Dr. Petrak specializes in treating children who have been abused or neglected.<\/p>\n

She says parents should start with an upfront conversation with their children about what\u2019s appropriate \u2013 and what\u2019s not \u2013 while they are using the internet.<\/p>\n

Check for security<\/h2>\n

The first step to making sure your children are safe online is ensuring they are using secure platforms.<\/p>\n

For online learning, parents can ask their child\u2019s teacher or school district what they are doing to protect students online.<\/p>\n

And talk with children about what they should do to protect themselves.<\/p>\n

\u201cMake sure your kids don\u2019t share their IDs or passwords,\u201d Dr. Petrak said.<\/p>\n

Be wary of strangers<\/h2>\n

Some people may not be who they say they are online.<\/p>\n

Sex offenders and predators can use social networking sites, e-mail and online gaming to contact and exploit young people. Talk with your children about the difference between talking online with someone they know and interacting with strangers.<\/p>\n

\u201cSomeone might seem like another 12- or 13-year-old, but they are not. They\u2019re an adult. If you don\u2019t know them in person, you don\u2019t know them,\u201d Dr. Petrak said.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t share things that should be private<\/h2>\n

Regardless of a website\u2019s privacy settings, some things shared online may never go away.<\/p>\n

Have an age-appropriate conversation with your child about whether it\u2019s OK to share photos of themselves online, and if so what kinds of photos are appropriate.<\/p>\n

\"Father<\/p>\n

You can\u2019t guarantee that a photo posted online or through an app won\u2019t be shared with others, so inappropriate photos should never be shared, even in a private message. Talk with your kids about reporting inappropriate photos that they may receive.<\/p>\n

And private information is more than just photos.<\/p>\n

\u201cChildren have a very hard time understanding what is private,\u201d Dr. Petrak said.<\/p>\n

Be specific if you can. Information like an address, parents\u2019 names and the like should not be shared online.<\/p>\n

Treat others with respect<\/h2>\n

Have ongoing talks with your child about what it means to be responsible online.<\/p>\n

Let them know you expect them to treat others with respect and avoid cyberbullying<\/a>. They should also know if they are being bullied online \u2013 or if they see someone who is \u2013 that they can turn to you, a teacher or another trusted adult for help.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf it makes you uncomfortable, don\u2019t do it and tell a trusted adult,\u201d Dr. Petrak said.<\/p>\n

Check in early and often<\/h2>\n

Ask your children about what kind of messages they are sending and receiving and how they feel about them. These conversations can help set the tone and expectations going forward.<\/p>\n

\u201cAsk about what their favorite apps are and why they like them. It\u2019s a way to have a discussion without seeming too nosy. Showing interest is always good,\u201d Dr. Petrak said.<\/p>\n

And if your kids make mistakes online, try to handle the situation with empathy. Being online is an important part of their lives, especially if they are using the internet to access online learning materials.<\/p>\n

Use these mistakes as a teachable moment and, if needed, ask for professional help from your pediatrician<\/a> or another trusted professional.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Start with an upfront conversation with children about what\u2019s appropriate \u2013 and what\u2019s not \u2013 while they are using the internet.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":60,"featured_media":10735,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[116],"tags":[371,965,331,834],"coauthors":[757],"class_list":["post-10733","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-pediatrics","tag-pediatrics","tag-screen-time","tag-technology","tag-teens-adolescents"],"yoast_head":"\nFive things parents should know about online safety | OSF HealthCare<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"With an increase in online learning, it's important to have a conversation with kids about what\u2019s appropriate while using the internet.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, 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