Remaining private is key to online safety for your family. There is a lot of information roaming around the web, so watch for what your children are putting out there. The biggest advice to give: Not everyone on the internet should be trusted. Actually, most shouldn’t. Their privacy should be taken very seriously with every online activity they engage in.

Social media

Always keep an eye out for your child’s privacy setting. Platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat, Twitter, and Facebook all have ways to ensure that only approved friends can access their page. Fully public accounts are open for anyone on the internet to see, no matter where or who they are.

A lot of platforms now offer a go live feature, which allows your child to post about what they are doing in real time. Make sure they are cautious about letting others know exactly where they are at all times, especially if you or another trusted adult is not around.

Online gaming

With online multi-player games on the rise, your children have access to thousands of people. Systems like Xbox Live, allow players to be connected in a way gaming hasn’t done before. To protect their privacy:

• Research the game and its privacy features before letting your child play

• Help your child create a username that doesn’t reveal their identity

• Have conversations about chatting safely with strangers

Internet Forums

Forums are a message board where people can discuss a variety of topics. An example of this is Reddit. These websites give kids the opportunity to share their opinions and create online friendships. Although that can be a positive thing, befriending or chatting with the wrong people can be detrimental for your child’s privacy. Make sure they use caution when sharing with others. Your children should not be giving out phone numbers, where they live, full names, where they go to school, etc.

Be sure to check out our previous post in the series about securing your Wi-Fi, and stay tuned for the next post.