The internet has become an intrinsic part of our daily lives. It’s now widely used for educational purposes by children. Hence, it’s vital to teach them how to be safe online!
Navigating the online world: Basic internet safety rules for elementary students
Don’t give out personal information
It’s important to educate children not to share their password, name, address, school, or any information about themselves or their family with anybody online.
Don’t agree to meet strangers you have interacted with online
Advise your child and caution them to never arrange to meet anyone in person whom they have only known on the internet. You can never be sure if their identity is real or if they are safe.
Choose safe screen names
Make sure your child leaves out their name, birthday, city, etc. While creating an online id, so that others don’t know their personal information.
Protect passwords
Caution children and ask them not to share their passwords with anyone but their parents.
Ask for help if scared or uncomfortable
Bond with your child and ensure that they always feel safe and confident to share everything that concerns them. Encourage them to speak to you when they need help.
Discourage them from posting photos or videos without your permission
Posting pictures and videos online can be dangerous, as anyone can identify your child with their location shown in photographs, or algorithms can easily find your child wherever they are. Hence, ask them to share the same only with your consent.
Don’t participate in cyberbullying
Educate your child about cyberbullying. Explain why it’s wrong and make them aware of what steps to take if they or a friend are being cyberbullied.
Don’t download attachments or click links
The internet can often be a place for extracting personal information. This can happen by sending a malicious link or attachment that might look legit. Unless your child receives them from a trusted member, advise them not to open these without any warning.
Be wary of contests or freebies
A contest or giveaway of freebies is another way to extract information. So, caution your child and ask them not to click on links or timers which can easily be a trap for stealing your information.
Understand that nothing is private
Remember that nothing you or your child post or send on the internet can be deleted. You never know where it is stored; there’s always a way to return the old posts or messages. Hence, be careful about what you or your child sends to friends.
Ask questions
When in doubt, encourage your child to come to you. Motivate them to ask questions, so that they gain more confidence. While exercising caution is always a good move, opting for a secure internet connection with advanced security features can also make a huge difference. Hence, choose Excitel for all your internet needs today!
Frequently Asked Question (FAQs)
- How can I make internet safety lessons engaging and age-appropriate for young learners?
Find funny videos on YouTube which are funny and educational about online safety. You can also buy them books and read with them, to know the positives and negatives of the internet. - What key topics are covered in teaching internet safety to younger elementary students?
Cyberstalking, online malware, phishing, and piracy are vital topics to educate your children. - What strategies can educators use to address specific online safety challenges?
Many schools have separate classes for life education. Teachers can use videos and films to teach them about internet safety during these scheduled periods.
