Technology brings many gifts, but also comes with serious risks of which parents must be aware: particularly the high potential of exposure to harmful sexually explicit material and even predators. We know that predators have openly shared strategies online about grooming children for sexual abuse and exploitation during COVID-19.
However, predators aren’t the only online threat. Unfortunately, sexually exploitative material—including hardcore pornography—is all too-easily accessible by children, especially when Internet filters and device controls are nonexistent or inadequate at home or at school. Exposure to pornography and sexually explicit material threatens young children’s and adolescents’ well-being and is antithetical to a safe, healthy, and productive learning environment.
To support overburdened families during this unprecedented, vastly virtual school year start, we’ve compiled the ABC’s of creating a safe online home learning environment to protect the children in your life – during the pandemic and once it’s (hopefully soon) over.
A – Awareness
Awareness of online risks and how to mitigate threats to your child’s safety and well-being needs to be every parent’s priority. Ask school administrators and teachers what – if any – safety measures are in place to protect students from access to harmful material during virtual learning.
Educate yourselves about the apps, games, and social media platforms popular with your child and his or her peers. Monitor their activity, who they’re interacting with, and who is reaching out to them. Ask your child questions and let them know you will be involved and aware of their online life, just as you are in their non-virtual one.
B – Boundaries
Boundaries are essential to keeping kids safe online. We’re talking about literal boundaries (filters, parental controls, privacy settings, rules) to keep harmful content and people away from your child, as well as personal boundaries within a virtual world.
Whether your children are using their own or school-issued digital devices (Chromebooks, iPads, laptops), it’s paramount that parental controls are activated on the devices and search engines (Google Chrome, Safari, etc). Remember, most school-issued devices are placed in your children’s hands (or shipped to your home) with no safeguards in place.
It’s also paramount you and your child determine online/screentime boundaries that align with your family’s values and priorities. No matter what boundaries your family sets, clearly stating them and even having them in writing will lead to a healthier, safer online environment.
C – Communication
Consistent, open communication with your children is key to keeping them safe while they’re learning, playing, and socializing online. Use age appropriate language to explain the risks of Internet usage and let them know your primary concerns. Teach them to recognize pornography and predatory behavior from strangers (and even known adults) and develop a clear set of actions they should take – including immediately telling you, a teacher, or another trusted adult.
Kids are more likely to help protect themselves if they understand what they need to watch out for, can name it, and know what to do when confronted.
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