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Cyber Safety

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The Web is full of opportunities for our kids to experience and see more of the world, but are we doing all we can to keep our kids as safe as possible in cyberspace?

Band-Aids, spinach, shin guards, car seats, sunscreen and hand sanitizer…they’re all measures parents take to keep kids as safe as possible, but what are you doing to ensure your child is safe online?  Children at younger and younger ages are accessing gaming websites, smartphone apps and social media outlets. The Web is full of opportunities for our kids to experience and see more of the world, but are we doing all we can to keep our kids as safe as possible in cyberspace?

When it comes to safety online, “knowledge is power” reigns true. If you have children coming into the tween and teen years and you aren’t familiar with words like Pheed, Snapchat, Chirp or Thumb, then it may be time to update your social media vocabulary. When the Minecraft craze hit in 2012, children as young as 5 and 6 years old were creating accounts and mining away. Thankfully, legislation like COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act) helps parents regulate personal information shared over the Internet for children in the 13 years and under crowd. COPPA requires websites and services to notify parents directly (usually through email) and gain their approval before they collect, use or disclose a child’s personal information.

Larry Goodman of Computer Solutions in Mission, KS, reminds us that laws like COPPA add a layer of protection for kids online, but parental or adult regulation is best. “Young children should always be supervised online,” he says. “One of the things many parents don't realize is that Internet Explorer has built-in controls to restrict access. Simply go into the Control Panel and click on Parental Controls. Here you can restrict access to the Internet, set time schedules and restrict game usage based on content ratings.” 

Another piece of knowledge parents don’t often consider is protecting children from online identity theft. If a child has a social security number, then he or she can be a victim of identity theft, and that can originate from the sharing of personal information online. The Federal Trade Commission recommends being aware of warning signs like bills, collections or credit card applications in your child’s name. If you think your child’s identity is at risk, you can get a report from the three major credit bureau agencies and follow their recommendations. 

Equipping our children with the knowledge of how to protect themselves online is vital. As children grow, these conversations evolve because their interaction and accessibility online changes, so be sure to keep lines of communication open about online safety. The tween age can be an especially vulnerable group due to their smartphone use and high-tech capabilities.

Local mom Allison Williams knows firsthand how raising a tween requires constant communication. “We talk about how once information is out in cyberspace anyone can see it, and you don't know where it ends up. We also discuss not being able to trust what other people say and who they claim to be,” she says. “I have given examples of how people get your personal information without your even knowing it.”

If your child is ready for a cell or smartphone, contact your service provider to find out what parental controls they may offer. Many parents aren’t aware of the comprehensive controls offered for phone packages like content filters, usage controls and location monitoring systems. Mom to two up-and-coming cyber-smarties, Amy Wastler, is staying up-to-date with online safety options. Wastler explains, “Service-provided parental controls are an added benefit, because it is an account level change, therefore a child cannot access it.”

Above all, building a trustworthy and communicative relationship with your child may be the best (and most rewarding) line of defense, so start talking today and keep cyber safety an ongoing topic in your family.

True or False: Do Your Kids Know How to Be Cyber Safe?

Jena Meyerpeter writes from Lenexa and is mom to three cyber-smarties.

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