Hi there, I was a kid before and I know someone out there has kids too that love technology or smart gadgets like I do.
We are now in a time when almost any age group actually has access to the Internet. Well, the Internet and smartphones are extremely cool but what it brings might not be really safe for kids or those who don’t have a good mindset to ascertain evil vs good.
If you love your kids, you won’t deprive them from having smartphones or a taste of the Internet. But if you really do love them, you won’t skip this post.
Kids and teens are now so used to their smartphones and the Internet in such a way that it might be literally termed addiction.
It’s either they aren’t gonna stop chatting, stop playing PUBG, Fortnite or one of those great games, stop streaming videos online or watching irrelevant contents that spoil their mindset, viewing contents that are not fit for their age and a whole lot of other stuff.
The list keeps going on and on. You can add more via the comments box, I would appreciate.
Now, the real reason I am putting this up here is that I love kids. Yes, I love the leaders of tomorrow. We all need to know what is right and help the younger ones with more vibrant energy to learn, understand and get used to it.
Before using smartphones or accessing the Internet, your kids really need to know these.
A lot happens on the Internet and your kids wouldn’t be properly protected if you don’t take responsibility for guiding them.
Let’s say everything your kids need to know before using smartphones or going to the Internet is right here. You will find all the information that your child needs to know before it’s too late.
Tell your kids the simplest difference between HTTP and HTTPS web protocol
It quite surprising that even some parents don’t know the difference between https and HTTP on a site. Well, I am going to just make it clear in a way that you can still relate it to your kids.
HTTP stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol. It allows World Wide Web users to transfer information like image, text, video, music, graphics and other files on web pages. Http is basically used to access HTML pages and other resources.
HTTPS stands for Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure. HTTPS is a protocol which uses an encrypted HTTP connection by transport-layer security.
So, to make them understand better,
- HTTP is not secured while https is secured to access or browse.
- On HTTP, anyone can see and alter your content. There’s no privacy or integrity over HTTP.
- They shouldn’t enter sensitive information like credit cards details, bank details or anything private on an HTTP site.
- It is safe to enter sensitive information on sites that show HTTPS/a green secured icon at the address bar.
To crown it all, kids should be very careful and enlightened about website security to avoid being used as loopholes.
Your kids should understand what it means to enter a credit card information online
For most kids who love exploring, the Internet will really be a fun-filled place for them. The web isn’t just filled with free stuff, your kids might find apps, games, and other stuff that will require payment.
Some are even fake.
What if your child sees something that he/she really do not want to miss and the page is only asking for their credit cards?
This is why your kids need to know how a credit card works and the dangers of using it without your full permission.
Try to make your kids understand and accept that they won’t enter any credit card details online without your permission/knowledge.
Once they find anything interesting online that only requires the credit card details, they wouldn’t mind the dollars on the page but will quickly enter the information just to get that cool stuff.
Let your kids understand that your real money is inside the credit card and it can be stolen if they enter that information on the credit cards.
Even if they are asked to share those card details with friends on Facebook, Whatsapp. Facetime, Instagram or Twitter, they should never do it without your consent.
Let them naturally understand the dangers of using the credit card without telling you.
Playing their favorite games could be a lot of fun that buying extra life and gadgets in the game wouldn’t be a problem for them.
Isn’t it just to enter the numbers on the card?
Recently, a Fortnite fanboy, 10, used his mum’s bank card to rack up £1,000 which leaves his disabled mother broke. This isn’t the only case of kids using credit cards irresponsibly just to have fun without knowing it’s real money they are spending.
Whether it’s playing of games, checking the app stores, video streaming or just anywhere on the web, your kids must know what will happen if they put those bank card details online without your express permission.
You can save yourself some unplanned stress by giving your kids the right information and at the right time.
Your kids must know what kinda photos or videos to share online
This era is where sharing pictures and videos have become the other of the day, especially for kids and youths. Well, not everyone understands privacy so well and your kids might be vulnerable if not properly educated.
Let your kids understand that they shouldn’t send nude videos or photos to anyone or even post it on social media. It wouldn’t just make them look bad to the world, it will definitely prove your irresponsibility over your kids.
If you get them a smartphone or a computer, educating them on the dos and don’ts shouldn’t be a hard nut to crack.
Your kids should never be left alone to learn about what makes a photo or video nude. They need you so much, for your own good.
Your kids should know that it’s not everything online that should be installed or downloaded
The young ones tend to react really fast and love exploring. Downloading whatever looks interesting wouldn’t get a second thought.
Malware, viruses, trojans or whatever you call those guys are mostly found online. Apps that will steal your personal information or render your computer useless aren’t far from the list.
Your kids wouldn’t know this unless you tell them.
To protect your kid’s privacy and devices, you must make them understand what is installable/downloadable and what is not.
Your kids should know why it isn’t good to be addicted to their smartphone or computer
Addiction doesn’t just affect kids only, it affects even adults but kids could be more affected because of their young state of mind.
As a parent, if your kid knows why he or she shouldn’t spend too much time on the smartphone or iPad gaming or checking movies online but to redirect some of that time to study, they won’t get addicted to whatever makes them happy.
It becomes a problem when the kid is already sternly addicted and you want to cut them off. It might cause some serious emotional problem to the kid.
So, the earlier the better if you love your child’s future.
There are cases where kids try to kill their parents for not allowing them access to their devices especially iPads and iPhones with addictive games.
Some even became so addicted that they had to be taken to a rehab center.
An example is a girl, 9, in rehab for Fortnite addiction after becoming so hooked she wet herself to keep playing.
The obsessed primary school pupil…
- Secretly got up in the night and played until dawn
- Neglected to go to the toilet because she could not bear to leave the screen
- Hit her father in the face when he tried to confiscate her Xbox gaming console
- Dozed off in class because of her night-time addiction
These are just some of the dangers of addiction. But as a parent, curbing it at an early stage will save you from what millions of kids and parents are going through.
Your kids must understand who a stranger is and the limits/boundaries to keep online
Your kids might be thought to be careful with strangers at home and they will surely not gonna disappoint you.
But what about the strangers online that you might never meet?
With your kids having access to Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Whatsapp, Skype etc, they are seriously open to the world. Anyone can easily reach them and build a relationship with them without your knowledge.
Making friends online with people who have ulterior motives could become a source of leaks.
Most people will make your kids trust them really fast, and since it’s just online, it could just be fun for your kids.
Under those blankets, in the night and when you are away, what do your kids share or discuss with those total strangers?
They might leak or throw out private information that shouldn’t go out or just tell an armed robber when you aren’t at home.
Well, all these can be cut from the root if you educate your kids to seriously treat strangers online the way they do offline.
Let them know that sensitive information should never be shared online. Make them understand and believe you so they won’t think you want to put a firewall to their freedom.
Your kids must really understand why you care about their online protection
If your kids understand properly why you care about their online protection, they will always feel okay when you take disciplinary actions.
- Tell them how much you love them
- care for them
- Show them examples
- and make them feel so free like air to show you what they have up their sleeve.
Most kids that react negatively to their parents is because they don’t have a choice. It’s like fighting for your treasure when it’s threatened.
A parent who tells a kid that using the credit card to make in-game purchases could make them go broke and that means no more pizza for the kid will definitely send a chill instruction to their brain.
We also have a related post on the best parental control apps you could use to help you know what’s going on with your kids.
Feel free to add to the discussion and let us know your feedback.
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