We're usually the ones who dish out the advice but there's plenty to learn from our own children when it comes to going online
Does your child think he knows more than you about technology? And is this really true? (If so, we're not going to admit it!)
As part of Safer Internet Day 2012, a panel of primary school children shared their tips on how children can keep themselves safe online. Their top five tips are:
1. Ask your mum or dad to check the websites before you go on them
2. Find out how to report someone or a website if it upsets you
3. Keep personal information safe
4. Tell an adult such as your mum, dad or teacher if you're worried
5. Don’t click on websites that you're not sure are real or safe
And their clever advice to us:
A good way to look at internet safety is to compare it to road safety:
- When your child is a baby, you don’t let them go near roads
- When your child is a toddler through to preschooler, you hold their hand every time you go near a road
- When your child goes to school, you allow them to make short trips to the shops on their own
Our children are telling us, protect them when they so young they need total protection, but then encourage them to protect themselves as they get older.
And the golden rule:
Always remind your child that they can talk to you if they’re ever worried or upset.
