What does it mean to be “safe” online? And what do parents need to know? Here are five things your kids can do to become responsible digital citizens:

1. 1. Teach them about privacy settings: It’s best to use parental controls yourself to monitor and limit your children’s online activity if you have young children. You can teach older children how to set up their privacy settings to make sure their photos and messages can’t be seen by just anyone on the internet. Help your kids set up their accounts using appropriate limits if they’re using Facebook, Instagram or another web-based application. Show them how to disable location on any device or app they are using, so that they cannot be easily found by others. No matter your child’s age, help them understand how important it is to keep their information secure, and that they should assume whatever they put on the web is accessible to anyone unless they take steps to protect that information.
   2. Teach them to post responsibly: Make sure your kids understand that, like words, once they put something on an app or website, it cannot be taken back (even if it looks like it can be) and they need to think carefully before posting photos, comments and/or anything else online. Teach your kids that they should never post anything that they would not say in person, or that they wouldn’t want anyone – especially their parents or a college admissions counselor would find in the future. And finally, teach kids to respect others’ privacy by not posting information or photos of somebody else without permission.
   3. Teach them how to interact with others: As in real life, children need to be taught to recognize inappropriate behavior online and to tell a trusted adult.

These are red flags that kids should learn to look for:  strangers who ask to meet in person; messages that contain offensive or inappropriate language or that make them uncomfortable; anyone who asks them for pictures or personal information. Teach your kids to never give out their address or phone number, and to always ask before purchasing anything online.

1. Teach them that online activity is not anonymous: Regardless of whether they are using personal information or not, kids should know that even if they are physically alone, their online activity is not anonymous. It is common for web browsers, email services, social media, and ecommerce sites to track and collect information about users constantly. The same as with posting, teach kids not to engage in online activities they wouldn’t want their parents or teachers to know about.
2. Teach them to communicate: Young people’s online activity must be discussed in an ongoing dialogue with cyber safety advocates in order to promote responsible use and prevent potentially dangerous situations. It is important to know what your children are doing online, including who they are talking to, what sites they visit, and what type of material they are posting. Keep the discussion going to ensure your children acquire the skills needed to navigate the ever-changing cyber-universe.

For any insurance questions, call or contact Meixell – Diehl Insurance today.