Internet safety tips for parents and educators
These days we need to be parents and educators in the online world as well as the real world.
The internet is a great educational and recreational resource that can help children learn and satisfy their curiosity about life.
The websites included in Kiddle search are recommended by educators, librarians and parents from across the globe as well as websites our own editors have used in schools or for homework within the K-12 age range.
However, it's also important to talk to your children about how to use the internet safely.
1) Teach online safety.
Where they can go online. Agree as to what types of sites and online activities are appropriate in your class or family. Make sure the children understand those boundaries once they are set and they stick to them.
Beyond the search engine. It's important for children to understand that while Kiddle controls and restricts the sites in our search results so that they access age appropriate sites only via our search, this filter isn't as strong once they move on from the search to other websites.
Personal is personal. Discuss with older children the importance of not posting personal information on the internet, like your name, age, school, address or phone number. Mark privacy settings so only their friends can see their stuff. Explain that passwords are meant to be private, and to keep them that way, so pick a password no one else is likely to guess and to always think before they post or share information, even with their friends.
Respect yourself. It's easy to forget that being mean hurts as much online as off. Make sure your children know that if something happens online that makes them uncomfortable, they should tell a trusted adult.
2) Stay involved, and monitor what sites they visit.
You would never leave your child alone in the middle of a city. The internet is like a big city with all kinds of neighborhoods. Always make sure that young children using computers/tablets/phones which are accessing the internet are in a position where an adult is nearby monitoring what sites or apps they are using.
With younger children, searching the internet together not only teaches them internet navigation skills but also how to navigate the internet safely once they are away from a search engine and on another website.
With older children, again, make sure that you are aware of what sites they are accessing (and they know what sites they are allowed to access and which they are not).
Searching the internet is a wondrous journey filled with not only education but fun for children. If done safely it can be a tool that gives children access to a plethora of information on a zillion topics from around the world (and the universe) - with just a search phrase entered in a search engine.