Matters Helping All Parents – Cyber Safety

January 10, 2018

As we begin the new year we want to wish everyone safety and happiness.  With so much information readily available on the internet and youth of all ages accessing it safety must be a top priority for parents.  This is why we want to take a moment to talk about cyber safety.  MHA would like to begin the year by helping parents to be proactive.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has some great information and tips for parents.  #MHAParents

http://www.netsmartz.org/internetsafety

Lenhart A, et al. Teens, kindness and cruelty on social network sites. Pew Internet & American Life Project, 2010.

The Internet has drastically changed the way that children interact with the world. They have access to in-depth knowledge, tools to express their creativity, and people from all over the world. Yet along with offering a fascinating, new way to connect with the world, the Internet also offers new risks      

  • Cyberbullying
  • Exposure to inappropriate material
  • Online predators
  • Revealing too much personal information 

Learning to recognize the warning signs of these risks will allow trusted adults to intervene and lessen potential negative impacts. By acting as a resource, parents and guardians can help make the Internet a safer place for their families. As a parent or guardian, you should stay well-informed about current issues to understand what your children are experiencing on and off the Internet. If they are social networking, instant messaging, using webcams, or blogging, help them use these tools safely by learning how to use them yourself. Children whose parents and guardians regularly talk to them about personal safety are more likely to exhibit responsible behavior on their own.[1] NetSmartz invites you to learn about the issues surrounding your children’s online lives. Then use the discussion starters to help you begin a dialogue about safety with your children. 

[1] Cox Communications Inc. National Center for Missing & Exploited Children® and John Walsh. Teen Internet Safety Survey, Wave II. Atlanta: Cox Communications Inc., 2007.

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