Internet Safety for Kids

By Katy Searcy, Children’s Department

Originally published October 14, 2016

Let’s talk about the Internet for a minute. I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t know what I would do without the Internet. We have access to information literally at our fingertips, and it’s absolutely fantastic. I love being able to find answers to the random questions zipping through my head. Of course, I don’t have to list off all the benefits of the Internet, and I’m sure I don’t have to tell you the dangers of the Internet either.

The Internet can be a scary place for anyone. There are creeps and weirdos galore, and who knows whether or not our information is really private? It’s tough enough for many adults to navigate, so it’s no wonder we receive lots of requests for books about Internet safety for kids. Kids use a variety of online services, from social media to games, and each one hosts its own safety concerns. Below are a few basic tips parents can be sure to implement no matter how their kids use the Internet, as well as a list of resources to use for talking about Internet safety with kids:

• Keep the computer in a high-traffic area of your home.
• Establish limits for which online sites kids can visit and for how long.
• Remember that the Internet is mobile, so make sure to monitor cell phones, gaming devices, and laptops.
• Surf the Internet with your children and let them show you what they like to do online.
• Know who is connecting with your children online and set rules for social media, instant messaging, email, online gaming, and using webcams.
• Continually talk with your children about online safety.

The following websites provide more in depth tips and suggestions for talking about Internet safety with children:

• http://www.netsmartz.org/Parents
  • A program of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, NetSmartz Workshop provides interactive, age-appropriate resources to help teach children how to be safe online. This website features videos, games, presentations, and other activities for kids ages 5 through 17, as well as guides for parents and educators.
• http://www.pbs.org/parents/childrenandmedia/
  • PBS Parents is a great resource for information about all aspects of child development and early learning, and the “Children and Media” section is especially helpful for talking to kids about online safety. Featuring numerous articles and age-by-age tips for helping children and teens get the most out of media and technology, this website provides information for parents of children ages 3 through 18.
• https://www.commonsensemedia.org/privacy-and-internet-safety
  • Common Sense Media is a non-profit organization that provides information and advice to help parents navigate the issues surrounding raising children in the digital age. The website’s extensive FAQ section features questions from real parents that are broken down by age group or topic.

And finally, here’s a list of books we have here at WCPL about Internet safety and security for both kids and parents:

• “Berenstain Bears’ Computer Trouble” (part of 5 Minute Berenstain Bears Stories) (J E BERENSTAIN)
• Savvy Cyber Kids (J E HALPERT)
  
• What Does It Mean to be Safe? (J E DIORIO)
  
• Online Privacy (J 005.8 MAR)
  
• Safe Social Networking (J 006.754 LIN)
  
• The Smart Girl’s Guide to the Internet: How to Connect with Friends, Find What You Need, and Stay Safe Online (J 006.754083 CIN) American Girl nonfiction
  
• A Smart Kid’s Guide to Social Networking Online (J 006.754083 JAK)
  
• Information Insecurity: Privacy Under Siege (YA 323.448 JAN)
  
• iRules: What Every Tech-Healthy Family Needs to Know About Selfies, Sexting, Gaming, and Growing Up (004.678083 HOF)
  
• Born Digital: Understanding the First Generation of Digital Natives (302.2310835 PAL)
  
• It’s Complicated: The Social Lives of Networked Teens (302.30285 BOY)
  
• How to Protect Your Children on the Internet: A Roadmap for Parents and Teachers (305.235 SMI)
  
• Cyber Self-Defense: Expert Advice to Avoid Online Predators, Identity Theft, and Cyberbullying (613.602854678 MOO)
  

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Sources:

• http://www.netsmartz.org/InternetSafety
• http://www.pbs.org/parents/childrenandmedia/