Parents role in online security

WHAT are some of the ways that parents can help their children avoid cyberbullying?

Paul Bischoff, the editor of Comparitech, said parents were the first line of defence.

“Consider limiting time spent on social media, where most cyberbullying occurs.

“Parents can install parental monitoring software on their children’s devices to keep track of what they do online and block content accordingly.

“Alternatively, parents can sign up for the same social networks as their kids and add them as friends, which helps to rein in what kids post and allows parents to keep an eye on them from a distance,” Bischoff said.

Sarah Hoffman, of the Digital Law Company advises the following:

Education – “Create a safe space for your children to be able to speak to you. In the event that they mess up, or that they are the victims of cyberbullying, you want your kids to feel comfortable enough to approach you immediately.”

Limits – “Cellphones and the apps we use are designed to be addictive. “If you as parents don’t put some limitations in place, the default is that our kids will use these around the clock, increasing the chances of exposure or engagement with harmful content.

“A nice option is to create a smartphone contract between you and your child outlining how and when these devices are used.”

Her firm has created a free downloadable smartphone contract available from www.thedigitallawco.com/ parents/smartphone-contract-teenagers. |