The 9th February is Safer Internet Day. With 4 young children in the house, internet safety is something we take pretty seriously. My 2 oldest children are 10 and 7, and use the internet with our supervision for games and homework. However, I know it is only a matter of time before they will want to use the internet more freely, without us looking over their shoulders, and so I want to be sure they are aware of the risks and dangers that can be involved with using the web, and how to deal with any problems.
Safer Internet Day reinforces the importance of safety online, especially when it comes to family members being safe online. It’s all about safe, responsible and positive use of digital technology for children and young people. Intel Security is helping to do this with its consumer security software products like TrueKey, a security software where you sign in without passwords, by using your face or fingerprint. There is also the option to use McAfee LiveSafe, which provides trusted protection so you can shop, surf and keep all your devices secure online with the convenience of a single subscription.
I really like the idea of TrueKey – knowing that our devices cannot be hacked into is very reassuring, especially as we have a lot of photos of the children stored on various technology around the house. McAfee is something we already use as a family – it means I can set parental controls, and only allow the children to use sites that I know and trust.
I asked Gemma what she thought a safe internet would look like. She thought about it for a while, and then set to work with her paper and crayons. I love the image she came up with:
It clearly shows that she knows the internet can be used in a really positive way – to make friends and stay in touch with people. But it also shows that she is aware of some of the dangers – probably as a result of both our chats with her and her school, which has a strong focus on internet safety. I am pleased to see that she would still be happy to ask us for help, even if we weren’t in the room with her.
To celebrate Safer Internet Day I have teamed up with Intel Security to offer you the chance to win a family ticket to Bletchley Park – a beautiful heritage site and vibrant tourist attraction in Milton Keynes. Simply enter via the rafflecopter form below – good luck!
Terms and conditions: open to UK residents, winner will be randomly selected on 9/2/16 and contacted by email. Prize is for a family ticket for a family of 4 to visit Bletchely Park. This is a collaborative post.
Yikes 3 teenagers and a safe internet, nightmare. They know so many things
A safe internet without social media and adult content! It sometimes seems easier just to turn the wifi off! 🙂
total one to one bodyguard protection!
being safe for kids on the net
My daughter knows to ask if she isn’t sure about anything. It’s a trust exercise.
Maybe there should be age appropriate access. As is seems that there are far too many risks associated with the internet via websites, social media etc. I believe that schools and some parents are doing their best to guide children and protect them when possible. Government should step in and improve safety in order to Protect the Public, children and other vulnerable groups being a priority.
checking with an adult if not sure and educating them on the dangers
I don’t know how I’ll deal with it as my Sn gets older, but for now when he plays on a tablet it’s limited and on a kid safe setting. x
Education about the risks and an ongoing open dialogue.
Making sure as they hit their teen get they’re aware of their digital footprint and how once something is on the web its there forever. What might look “cool” or funny now, might bite them in the bum in a few years time when they’re job hunting.
Needs to be safe these days for our children, i keep a close eye on what my children click on and so glad the school has done safe internet day
keeping an eye on what they are doing
A “safe internet” means you know what your child views online and has safety in place to stop people interacting with them online.
An internet full of fluffy bunny photos only! (And watching them like a hawk when they’re on there)
Just messaging friends they know in the real world
I know I know too little and I know that I rely on giving my children good values and advising them to look after themselves and if in doubt to raise issues with me or their Dad
accessible websites limited to the previously authorised ones
I have strict settings on my I pad if my daughter uses it she asks if she’s unsure of anything
Even with “Safe Search” on, they can still find adult content so unless I watch them 24/7 !
I browse their history to see what links they have looked at. This is especially needed when they watch YouTube because once my daughter was watching My Little Pony and it linked to a soft porn site. This was with parental control. So I sat down and had a chat with her about what she can watch and if anything distressing comes up to tell me. I make sure I look at her history each night to make sure she has told me. It is quite upsetting that even with parental controls some horrid things still get through to children.