As a foster parent, you protect your child by providing a loving, stable home. But even at home, a child can be vulnerable to the dangers of the internet. As a parent, it can be hard to keep up with everything that is going on online.

A few simple steps can help you better monitor your child’s online activities and start engaging in open conversations about internet safety.

What should you be on the lookout for?

1. Virtual Chats

   From texting apps and video game chats to social media direct messages, there are plenty of ways for your child to be in contact with friends (or strangers!) on the internet. Be aware of the platforms your child is interacting with on a daily basis and figure out if those platforms have a chat feature. If usernames or faces look unfamiliar, ask your child who they are talking to.
   

2. Cyberbullying
   

   Everyone knows that people are more willing to say unkind things online than they would in face to face conversations. This is especially true for teenagers. Drama at school can be amplified online. If you notice any inappropriate messages on your child’s chats, ask them if they are being bullied. For more advice, visit https://www.stopbullying.gov/

3. What information are they sharing?
   

   Some applications require you to manually change the security and privacy settings to limit the amount of personal information you are sharing. For optimal security, be sure that your child has not posted or stored your home address, phone number, credit cards, private pictures or other personal information within an online platform.

4. What are they downloading?
   

   Hackers use downloads to pass viruses to your computer so they can steal your personal information. Regularly check your browser’s history to see what your child has downloaded. Avoid downloading anything from third-party sites and have your child get your approval before downloading anything they are unsure about.

4 Easy steps you can take to keep your child safe online:

1. Parental Controls
   

   There are a variety of ways to set parental controls. You can now set security features on your mobile phone, internet browsers, tablets, Smart TVs and other platforms. These controls allow you to block certain types of content, specific websites or even individual keywords. There are also different filtering levels you can choose from. However, remember that these controls are not perfect and will not 100% protect your child. Learn more about setting up controls here.

2. Teach your kids about Internet Security
   

   It’s never too early to start talking to your kids about internet security.
   From creating strong passwords, downloading content, or making purchases online, there are things your child should know to stay safe.
   For age-based guidelines, click here.

3. Learn how to spot online scams and clickbait
   

   As an adult, our intuition usually tells us if a link is safe to click on. But we can all fall prey to scams, especially young kids. Beware of “free stuff” or online contests unless it is a credible site. Avoid messages promising free things from users you do not know. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. For more on how to spot scams, click here.

4. Limit time online
   

   One of the best ways to keep your child safe is to limit the time they spend online. This makes it easier to monitor their activity. While some of your kids’ real life friends may also talk to them online, encourage your kids to hang out with them IRL (AKA “in real life”). Invite their friends over for dinner or to play video games at your house. Some parents even create house rules that limit time spent online to 1 hour per night. Whatever you decide to do, planning quality family time and fun activities can be an easy way to encourage less internet use.

More resources:

Teaching Kids about Internet Safety
www.childnet.com
www.digizen.org
www.safekids.com
The A-B-C’s of Keeping Your Kids Safe Online
www.kidsmart.org
Barnardos – Generation Digital