10 important things to teach your child while using the internet

Sometimes, I do the impossible to distract my son from his phone, so he allows me to make or answer a call. If you are like me (and surely you are), welcome to the digital age. You will be surprised that your children can operate any device and do many things that you cannot do, whether it’s a computer, a tablet, or even a smartphone.

In fact, when you have trouble finding anything on the phone, ask your children and they will answer you generously. But this means that you no longer have to monitor what your children watch on TV only, but also monitor the content they are exposed to on the internet.

And while the internet is a double-edged sword, with many positives, its worst negatives are that your children are exposed to many hidden threats and risks, whether from strangers or because of the content they encounter on the internet, and they are certainly not protected against these challenges. Therefore, we have decided to draw your attention to what you should teach your children while they live their lives on the internet, including educating them technically and also preserving their personal safety and security.

1- The Difference Between Data Connection and Wi-Fi

If your children use your phone a lot or you plan to buy a new phone for them, it is essential to explain to them the difference between data connection and Wi-Fi. Using data connection can quickly deplete their package or may be very costly if you have an unlimited package.

Therefore, make sure your children know how to differentiate between Wi-Fi and data connection. You can describe Wi-Fi to them as free of charge, and they will immediately understand the meaning. Show them the Wi-Fi symbol at the top of the screen and tell them that this symbol should be present at the top of the screen while using the internet. If they notice the data connection symbol (vertical bars), they should inform you immediately to make sure, and do not allow them to use data connection without your consent.

2- Choosing the Browser

If your devices are from Apple, they come with Safari browser. If they are Windows-based, they come with Microsoft Edge, while Chrome and Android systems come with Google Chrome. Give your children the freedom to choose the browser they prefer to use, but give them a quick idea of what browser companies do to collect user data and understand their preferences and goals to improve ad targeting. This point may not be very important to them at this age, but you should give them a quick overview, they may be able to understand the matter and determine the importance of the differences.

3- Choosing the Right Search Engine for Them

There are many search engines: Google, Bing, Yahoo, Baido, and many others. Usually, Google search engine is everyone’s friend, but you can give them an idea about other search engines that care about privacy. For children specifically, you will find that the Kiddle search engine is a great choice because it ensures that everything your children search for is safe, appropriate, and attractive at the same time. There are other search engines that target children as well, such as KidRex and Kidtopia.

4- Searching for Important Information

Teach your children the importance of choosing keywords and key phrases when searching for information to get the best results that precisely match what they want to find. And that important and relevant results are often found on the first pages of search results. Also, teach them the possibility of narrowing down the search by choosing images, videos, or news to get more accurate results.

5- Retaining Important and Valuable Information

Teach your children about the feature of retaining pages with valuable information so that it is easy for them to read and access later. Depending on the browser they prefer to use, they can save pages as Bookmarks or Favorites, or even copy the address from the search bar and save it in a Microsoft Word document or Notepad. Do not bother them with browser add-ons now unless you are sure they will respond and that they have enough awareness to benefit from them.

6- Not Downloading Any Programs Without Permission

This point is essential. You should alert your children about viruses and harmful programs that can damage devices or steal personal data. Therefore, warn them not to register on any website, download any programs to get files or games from the internet, or believe in prize and contest ads.

7- Not Talking to Strangers on Any Social Platform

Whether it’s Facebook, WhatsApp, or any other social platform preferred by your children, they should not talk on any channel, join any group, or interact on any page with any stranger without first obtaining your permission. It is strictly forbidden to make promises to people or attempt to meet them without your knowledge, no matter the age of these people.

8- Educate Your Children about the Personal Information They Share

While adults have full awareness of maintaining family and personal secrets, children’s lack of awareness and naivety may lead them to divulge some family secrets to their friends. Therefore, you must educate them on this matter, and you should be the overseer of their conversations with their friends. It is best to use parental control apps to monitor their conversations and activities online. You can monitor their WhatsApp without their knowledge to know exactly what is going on in their private lives, and then leave them to their freedom once you are reassured that there is nothing worth spying on.

9- Set a Schedule for Gaming Periods

This is a problem that you will not easily get rid of. All children love games and enjoy facing new challenges every day, which is actually a positive thing and there is no harm in it, as it enhances their intelligence and nourishes their minds with perseverance, patience, overcoming weaknesses, and overcoming difficult obstacles. But it should be within a specified time frame for leisure only, and do not neglect their friendships with their peers and companions or withdraw from social and family life. Therefore, be very strict about this point, monitor their social activities, set a specific schedule for them, and do not allow them to neglect it at all until they get used to it.

10- Do Not Visit Inappropriate Websites for Their Age

Sometimes it may happen unintentionally, but other times they deliberately visit some websites that pique their curiosity due to the advertisements they encounter on the internet. Therefore, checking their browsing history will not be enough, of course. You can narrow down this problem by using parental control features that work to block and restrict internet websites from your children’s devices and prevent access to them through the internet router.