100 Ways to Keep Kids Safe Online

This week I have been on a quest, keeping kids safe online. I found a few resources that I have put in my LIKE pile.

It kept growing and I eventually came up with a 100 ways.

100 ways to keep your kids safe online

With our 5 kids we have learned some hard lessons about the internet. Most of them have been by accident. Go figure. Some of my friends have NO idea what is going on in their children’s lives because they don’t understand social media. So most of these tips are just easy tidbits about being online. I am not an expert and would appreciate any tips you may have in the comments. 🙂

10 Topics to discuss with your child about the internet

The internet can be a great place or a scary place if not handled properly.
The internet even though it is in your home but still is a place where one can talk to strangers and needs to be used with extreme caution.
The internet is a place to gain information but never to give information without the parent’s permission.
The internet is like a real highway. It is filled with so much that supervision is always needed – even adults can get lost easily when taking the wrong roads.
The internet can be accessed from not only computers but televisions, phones and even speakers. Downtime is a must, certains times of day.
The internet is an awesome tool! But going outside and breathing real air is also super important in today’s society.
The internet is fun but people are more important, always. Don’t let that CPU suck your life away.
The internet is not always full of truth. Don’t be deceived on what you are reading. Get your source from multiple reliable resources.
The internet is a way bad people will ask for personal information. NEVER give your address or phone number away to anyone.
The internet might be a way to meet people but just because someone asks to be your friend, ask your parent permission first is priority!

10 Terms to learn about the internet before your kids have browsing power

PRIVACY. Things to keep private – only parents have permission to share: Social Security Numbers, Passwords, Account Numbers, Addresses and Telephone Numbers.
Malware. Malware is a way to make computers sick. Just because an AD says something is free, don’t click on it. It could be a virus that will cause harm. Stay off of flashy ads unless they have been scanned with a virus protection.
Passwords. Use a STRONG password. One with a number, a capital letter, a symbol and a long string of letters. Don’t use a pet’s name or something like “password123.”
Scamming. On games such as Minecraft it is easy to gain access to games and pretend you are someone else especially when using public wifi. People will try to scam or trick you. Be alert.
Phishing. Sometimes spam email will try to convince you to send “personal” information so they can rob you. Don’t let them catch you like a fish.
Mobile Apps sometimes have in-app purchases. It is easy to press an app so be careful when using them.
Apps Privacy – Also using Apps require giving certain information like things such as email, date of birth, or even addresses. Just be careful what information you give out.
Wifi – Wifi is great when it is yours in on your home network with a password. Be sure to be careful what you share on public wifi. Anyone can access your private information on public access.
Technology is always changing. Be careful what you post, where you post, who you post about and always remember nothing online is truly private. Someone WILL always be able to see what has been posted.

10 Simple ways to Guard your Home internet

Make sure you have control over your modem and wifi. Restarting it and adding a new password once in awhile won’t hurt.
Have 2 different sign ins on your modem or wifi. One for parents and a second for kids and guests. You then can change the wifi password at your pleasure.
Become an administrator over all computers and allow kids to become guests or special sign ins.
Use an Ad Blocker i.e. Ad Block Plus. Plus, it is free.
Run your updates for the latest security upgrades.
Be open about having an open web meaning all history will be reviewed from time to time.
Let kids feel safe to be able to come to you if they see something questionable.
Use a modem like Gryphon for online safety.
IF you are a victim of cyber crime or need to report a crime – contact the IC3 a division of the FBI.
Use an anti-virus program. Keep it updated.

10 Websites that make the internet safer for kids

View Pure
An alternative to YouTube but still able to view most YouTube videos. We use YouTube a lot more than we should for education, pleasure and even how to do the simplest things i.e. how to fish or Christian Music Videos. It is not a perfect app or website but still safer than the regular YouTube with questionable ads and other videos that are just scary for little eyes.

Safe Search for Kids – A filtered Search by Google for kids.
Email for Kids – Zoobuh!
Making a Family Account with Yahoo. Some restrictions will be used for kids under 17 years old.
10 Commandments for Kids for the Internet
Apps that stop texting and driving
FBI’s – SOS, Safe Online Surfing Website
Use an AntiVirus program.
Learn about your Firewalls.
BrainPop is still one of my favorite learning websites.

10 Things to know about Facebook

Facebook has a age limit, 13 years of age.
Not everything on Facebook is true including trendy news. Just because you read someone has “died” does not mean it has been verified.
Pay close attention to ALL the mailboxes. There is a mailbox or messaging area that “strangers” will sometimes use to contact the user.
Users sometimes have the same names. Make sure you are friending a true friend before accepting or sending a friend request.
Anything posted is up to be public even if it says it is private now. Be aware Facebook servers can be hacked at anytime.
NEVER post anything you wouldn’t want everyone to see.
Be careful what you write! Colleges and future employers will use what you say as a means to “measure” how you will act as an employee or student.
You can turn off photo tagging and is suggested if you don’t want to be photos on Facebook.
Facebook can be put on private and is suggested while learning to use social media. If it is off private, ANYONE can see your business.
Facebook is a HUGE highway not a country road – it requires high levels of maturity or it could have huge consequences.

10 Things to know about Instagram

Instagram is owned by Facebook. It also has an age limit, 13 years old.
Private messaging is available in Instagram.
You can send private photos.
Be careful about posting about people who did not give you permission to take their photo.
Posting on Instagram and then sharing on Twitter can sometimes make the photo public on Instagram.
Anything posted will be saved on servers that don’t belong to you.
Sometimes a person’s personal Instagram will be tagged by accounts that are spam.
NEVER post anything you don’t want to share with everyone.
Instagram has the right to change their terms at anytime.
Instagram is a HUGE highway not a country road – it requires high levels of maturity or it could have huge consequences.

10 Things to know about Snapchat

Snapchat has an age minimum of 13.
Snapchat has easy to use privacy settings.
Snapchat photos do disappear BUT are easily taken by another phone or camera.
Snapchat messages are made to disappear which makes it harder to see what was taken.
NEVER post anything you don’t want to share with everyone.
A parents’ guide to Snapchat
Another user can still share a snapchat without the person knowing by using another phone.
Never assume another child would want to be on social media, always ask prior permission before posting.
Snapchat is one social media avenue that should be discussed with kids before being allowed to download.
Snapchat is a HUGE HUGE HUGE highway. It should be used with extreme caution or have major consequences.

10 Things to know about Pinterest

Pinterest is great for ideas for both young and old.
Pinterest does have a way to send private messages and photos.
Pinterest does allow comments on pins that have been pinned on public boards.
Pinterest does have links and photos that are not G-rated. In fact, some are X-rated. Be aware that a simple search anything could show up.
Pinterest has group boards meaning more than one person can share one board.
Pinterest also has private boards that can be made into a group board.
Even strangers can be invited to group boards.
Pinterest is a huge highway of information. It should be used with caution.
Pinterest is great for pinning ideas and gaining ideas.
Pinterest has an age limit, 13 years old.

10 Things to know about Google

Google is a great search engine.
ANYTHING can be searched on this engine.
SafeSearch.net is a way to use Google without bad images or posts. However, there are a few bugs when I tried to use it.
Incognito is a way to hide search history. Private searching so others cannot see what you are searching. However, just because someone is in incognito mode doesn’t mean the real “history” can’t be seen.
Everything leaves a trail of some kind.
Google can be a dangerous highway without knowing how to drive it.
JuniorSafe Search is also an alternative to Google Search.
It is even has an app for phones or tablets.
Make a “hard” password.
Setting up a time limit for using Google or using any search engine might also veer bad “driving” on this huge highway.

10 Things to know about Twitter
- Twitter is great for instant information and history.
- Twitter is not for those who hold their tongue. Twitter is quick and anything is shared what is on your mind.
- Hashtags on Twitter is what can bring up a certain “subject.”
- Twitter has private mailboxes.
- PM – Private Message or DM – Direct Message.
- Twitter does have a certain age limit to sign up for an account, 13 years old.
- Twitter can be great for things like a football game. You can share your mind with tons of others watching the same game. However, they might not be generous with keeping their opinion G rated.
- Twitter has trending topics.
- Trends can be used for local chatter.
- Twitter is a huge highway and riding a bike should not be encouraged on it.

10 Parenting Tips
- Keep Informed about the Internet.
- Keep the subject open and talk about what is going on their lives.
- Don’t allow “closed” doors or access to the internet without open borders.
- Stay accountable – everyone who has access to the wifi or electricity has knowledge that anything might be discovered.
- Have a hub where all electronics stay for the “night.”
- Have time limits for internet usage.
- Be a “friend” to your kids’ accounts.
- Follow your kids online. But, have a no embarrassment clause.
- Play outside with your kids. Staying online is not the same as exercise and breathing fresh air.
- Don’t fret. Pray. Eat chocolate. Have do-overs.