If you have kids, it’s essential to protect their online safety. Kids today have more access to computers, smartphones, and the Internet than ever before. Children and teens also spend time online playing games, watching videos, and using social networking sites. There are ways to boost their social-media awareness while they maintain a safe online presence, too. 

It’s crucial to limit the amount of time your kids spend on social media and social networking sites. Overuse of social media is associated with kids’ poorer mental health. It’s also important to keep children safe online because, in some instances, some people might try to take advantage of them through the Internet. Try these strategies to help keep kids safe online.

• Restrict “private” browsing and let your kids know when you check their Internet history. 
• Use parental controls on all computers, tablets, and smartphones.
• Make sure your children only use age-appropriate apps. And slowly give older kids and teens with social media smarts more control over their online activities
• Actively engage with your child’s online experiences. Sit with your children while they’re online, and participate in what they are watching, reading, and doing.
• Teach children to consider what they read, watch, and say online. Model good online behavior for your children by teaching them to think critically about what they hear and read, and where it came from.
• Let your children know they can always talk with you about anything, including what they see online. 
• Limit access to your home’s wireless network by unplugging it, especially at bedtime.

Take the FBI Safe Online Surfing course with your kids to learn about spotting suspicious things online. And remind your kids and teens how to stay safe online:

• Never share personal information, especially your last name, address, and phone number.
• Don’t send pictures of yourself to people you don’t know.
• Don’t engage with people who make you feel uncomfortable, and tell your parents or other trusted adults if it happens.
• Remember, some people might misrepresent themselves online and lie about who they are.

Visit the Online Risks section of the FBI’s Parents, Caregivers, and Teachers: Protecting Your Kids page to learn more.

Try to make a family media use plan and commit to spending family time together, away from the Internet and other media, too.

The Benefits

• A vital means of connection
• Can maintain a sense of community
• Immediate access to important news
• May be less anxiety-provoking than connecting in person, especially for those with social anxiety
  
  

The Risks

• Can increase depression and anxiety for some
• Enables cyberbullying
• Can be a distraction that impacts attention and productivity
  
  

Tips to Maximize the Benefits and Reduce the Risks

• Monitor children. Discuss the warning signs of predatory behavior or bullying that children should alert a trusted adult about.
• Set clear boundaries. Find tools to help remain present with important tasks, friends, and family. 
• Beware comparisons. Comparisons with others' social media posts can lead to feelings of unhappiness and envy. Compare to feel inspired, not inadequate. Keep in mind that postings are typically curated to present an image and may not reflect reality. 
• Curate feeds. Prioritize what positively contributes to life, and filter out what takes away from it. 
• Aim for quality. The quality of interactions matters more than quantity. Give support to get support, and actively engage instead of passively observing. 
• Words matter. Language use can indicate others' mental states. Pay attention. 
• Disconnect often. Mealtime, family time, and bedtime are all good times to put the screens down and be fully present. Turn off your electronics and encourage everyone in your family to engage with one another the old-fashioned way. Turn off all devices 2 hours before bed to minimize the impact of blue light on sleep.
• Think before you post. Digital footprints can last for a long time. Talk with your children about how their postings influence people’s opinions of them—good or bad. Online behavior can negatively impact the future -- college, career, etc. 
  
  

Source: LifeCare