by Emma Tourtelot, Library Media Specialist, RVMS
Internet safety is about more than protecting children from strangers and blocking inappropriate content. It’s also about teaching them how to use the internet productively and responsibly. This is called digital citizenship. If you have any questions about internet safety, please contact the RVMS Library Media Specialist, Emma Tourtelot, at any time: Ext. 4641 or etourtelot@rondout.k12.ny.us.
While the district limits what students can access on iPads in school, this filter does not work at home. The simplest way to monitor your child’s internet use is to talk to them, check their devices regularly (browser history; camera roll; social media apps; messages), and set limits on screen time. If you have questions about whether a specific app, game, or media product is appropriate or safe for your child, the reviews and age ratings at CommonSenseMedia.org are helpful. We recommend taking away devices before bedtime and returning them in the morning.
Almost every social media app has privacy settings (if it doesn’t, your child should not use it). Go to Settings and change privacy options so strangers cannot send messages or friend requests. Remove as much public profile info as possible–address, school, phone, email, photo, etc.
Many apps, especially social media apps, have location services, which allow app makers to track users’ location. Go to Settings in apps to turn off location tracking.
On YouTube, click Settings and scroll to the bottom of the page to find the option to turn on Restricted mode, which blocks inappropriate content.
Remind your child not to share photos or personal information with strangers online, including their address, email, phone number, passwords, real name, or school. Remind them not to use their real name as a username, and not to share passwords with anyone except you.
Encourage your child to tell an adult if a stranger tries to contact them online. Tell them to watch out for “red flags,” like someone asking for personal information, or wanting to meet up in person. Ask them to change the settings in games they play, so strangers cannot contact them–even strangers claiming to be their age. Ask them if they know how to block other users or flag users for inappropriate behavior in games or apps they use. Remind them that not everyone on the internet is who they say they are. Ideally your child should not even open messages from strangers (they could contain a virus). Let them know they should definitely not respond to a threatening/scary/inappropriate email, message, post or text.
Once something is online, it’s online forever, to be seen by anyone. Help your child take care of their digital footprint. If they wouldn’t want their grandmother/teacher/future employer to see something, they should keep it to themselves. Remind them that even messages and photos sent as private text messages can end up online (sometimes accidentally, sometimes maliciously). Sexting and inappropriate selfies rarely stay private for long, especially in middle school. The same goes for unkind comments and gossip. Tell them that the only truly private conversation is in person!
While the internet can be a scary place, it’s not always as scary as online rumors make it out to be. If you hear about a scary new online trend, do your own fact-checking using a reliable source like Snopes.com, which is a great website for debunking misinformation and scaremongering.
Ask your child what apps they use. Encourage them to tell you if they come across anything inappropriate or scary online; if a stranger attempts to contact them online; if they witness or experience cyberbullying; or if they fall for an online scam. Check in often.
Consider having device-free mealtimes. Ask your child to help you change your own privacy settings. Learn about the apps and games they spend most time on.