1. Understanding Online Safety
- Treat online guidance like teaching any other life skill (e.g., crossing the road).
- Balance engagement: talk with your child about their online activities and set clear boundaries.
- Teach children the benefits and risks of the internet (e.g., educational opportunities vs. harmful content).
2. General Internet Safety Tips
- Discover Together: Explore safe and fun websites with your child to foster trust.
- Set Rules: Discuss acceptable internet use, such as:
- Time limits.
- How to handle personal information (e.g., names, addresses).
- Online etiquette and appropriate activities.
- Privacy Awareness: Encourage caution when sharing photos or personal information.
- Meeting Online "Friends": Always accompany your child if they meet someone they met online.
3. Practical Safety Measures
- Parental Controls: Use tools to limit time online, block adult content, and disable in-app purchases.
- Safe Search: Activate filters on search engines to avoid inappropriate content.
- Family Email: Create a shared account for registering for games and apps.
- Encourage Open Conversations: Teach kids to report uncomfortable encounters online without fear of losing access.
4. Managing Technology Use at Home
- Set clear rules for screen time and usage locations (e.g., no devices during dinner or in bedrooms).
- Model good behavior: follow the rules you set for your child.
- Use alternatives to screen time like family activities to foster healthy balance.
- Turn off devices not in use to reduce distractions.
5. Social Media and the Digital Age of Consent
- In Ireland, the Digital Age of Consent is 16 years old, requiring parental approval for children under 16 to share data online.
- Discuss whether your child is emotionally ready for social media, considering pressures like popularity and online bullying.
6. Social Media Safety Tips
- Privacy Settings: Encourage "friends-only" settings for posts and photos.
- Friends List: Regularly review and only keep trusted people.
- Unwanted Messages: Teach children to ignore and report unsolicited communications.
- Online Reputation: Discuss the importance of THINK (True, Helpful, Illegal, Necessary, Kind) before posting.
7. Handling Cyberbullying
- Recognize that cyberbullying can happen anytime and impacts mental health.
- Steps to Take:
- Listen to your child without overreacting.
- Document bullying incidents for reporting.
- Block and report offenders on platforms.
- Contact schools or Gardaí for severe cases.
- Encourage confidence-building activities like sports or arts.
8. Talking About Pornography
- Young Children: Teach them to come to you if they see uncomfortable content. Offer strategies like closing the screen.
- Teenagers: Explain that pornography is not realistic. Focus conversations on consent, respect, and healthy relationships.
9. Sexting Awareness
- Explain the risks and consequences of sharing intimate images, including potential legal implications.
- Rehearse ways to say "no" to peer pressure.
- If images are shared without consent:
- Contact those involved to delete the image.
- Report incidents to authorities or social media platforms.
- Seek professional guidance for emotional support.
10. Building Trust
- Keep conversations non-judgmental to encourage honesty.
- Reassure your child that you are their ally, offering help when needed.
This guide emphasizes creating an open, supportive, and informed environment to help children navigate the internet safely and responsibly.