From hoaxes to threats of predators, the internet can be a very scary place for children. It’s important to educate your kids on how they should use the internet. Here are are 10 internet safety facts every kid should know:
1. Don’t Share Personal Information
The internet is a very public space, so it’s important to never share personal information. Things like your full name, home address, school name and location, and phone numbers can easily be misused by strangers on the internet.
2. Don’t Share Passwords
When you give someone your password, they have access to everything stored on your account. The information or content typically hidden from other users is now accessible.
This can include archives of photos and messages and private account information (phone numbers, addresses). Sharing a password also makes the account vulnerable to hacking, allowing the other person to post content that you would not post normally with your account.
3. Don’t Talk to Strangers
In a study of kids grades 4 through 8, 40% of kids reported having been in contact with strangers online. Over half of the kids said they’d revealed something as personal as their phone number to strangers.
The internet can make it all too easy for kids to connect with strangers — something difficult for parents to completely prevent. It’s vital for kids to know the danger behind talking to strangers online so when they come into contact with strangers, they know how to interact with them.