I don’t think many people will argue with someone who exclaims that parenting was probably easier thirty odd years ago, back before the Internet was a thing. Sure, you still had to deal with youthful rebellion, but at least you didn’t have to worry about the corrupting influence of the world wide web.
Nowadays, children grow up in a vastly different world from that of yesteryear. Immersive, hyper-realistic video games. Social networks which connect their users in an intricate, immense web of communication. Online movie and music streaming.
Basically, technology hasn’t just changed the way we communicate with and relate to one another…it’s changed the way we grow and mature.
Unfortunately, there’s a dark side to all this incredible, new-found tech. There’s an unpleasant reality hidden behind all the convenience. Predators prowl the deep corners of the web, where no parents exist to keep them from the kids. Offensive and questionable content lies just a few mouse-clicks away.
If you’re going to keep your kids safe, there are a few steps you’ll have to take. Otherwise, can you call yourself a responsible parent?
Open Discussion
You’re not going to be able to consistently track your child’s activities online twenty four hours a day. In the digital realm, it’s virtually impossible to be a helicopter parent (the fact that such behavior is patently unhealthy notwithstanding). In all honesty, the best thing you can do is talk to your kids. Educate them on the risks of being online. Caution them against giving out any personal information, warn them against potential predators, and instruct them on how they should communicate with others in the online world. If you don’t know anything about the Internet yourself, this is the perfect chance to learn.
Take it beyond this education, as well. Communicate and interact with them online. Create a Facebook account, or follow them on Twitter. Show them that you’re interested in them.
Keep track of what they’re doing online, and if they’ve accomplished anything noteworthy, offer them congratulations. Essentially, show them that you’ve taken an interest in what they do. They’ll probably find your presence a little embarrassing (particularly when they get older), but that’ll happen anyway, whether online or off.
Game With Them
There’s a very high chance that your child will end up playing video games at some point in their life. As a lifelong gamer, I’ve long-since determined that if my (eventual) children end up showing an interest in video games, I will gladly play with them. You should do this as well. At the very least, take a passing interest in your child’s gaming activities – enough to set up the proper safety and privacy measures most consoles come equipped with.
Further, as you’ll be the primary means by which your kid acquires their games, you’ll want to develop an active understanding of how the industry works. Look up the ESRB ratings, and understand what it means to play online.
Further Protection
Last, but certainly not least, you should take an active role on the software side of things. Ensure all their privacy settings are completely up to snuff on whatever websites they happen to frequent. Make sure that your search engine is configured to block objectionable content, and take steps to prevent your child from accessing (or coming across) mature websites. Third-party protection software like Net Nanny couldn’t hurt in this regard, though it’s not strictly necessary.
The PCMech.com weekly newsletter has been running strong for over 8 years. Sign up to get tech news, updates and exclusive content - right in your inbox. Also get (several) free gifts.
