It’s never too late to begin a conversation with your children. A child is unlikely to recognize if they are being groomed. If someone has threatened or manipulated them online, they might be less likely to speak to an adult about what is going on. Creating an environment of honesty and no judgement can help your child feel comfortable bringing their concerns to you.
Consider opening the conversation with asking some questions to gauge their level of understanding:
What are some of your favorite apps or games?
Has anyone made you feel unsafe or uncomfortable online?
Do you know what online grooming is?
Let them ask you questions, too.
What is the difference between people we only know online and people we know offline?
Do you know where the report and block buttons are on different apps?
Has anyone asked for you to keep your relationship a secret or made you feel like some things needed to be kept a secret?
Who can you come to for help if something worries or upsets you online?
Consider these tips on how to navigate these conversations:
1. START SMALL
Conversations based on fear may send the wrong message to your child.
Start with having small conversations often about the topic of online safety to help them feel safe talking to you about this subject. Ask questions about what they learn in school about online safety, or what rules their friends have and how they differ.
Start with having small conversations often about the topic of online safety to help them feel safe talking to you about this subject. Ask questions about what they learn in school about online safety, or what rules their friends have and how they differ.
2. EXPLORE TOGETHER
Be curious and sit down with your child to explore different apps and websites together. Ask them to show you which apps they spend the most time on, what they like about the apps, and if anything ever makes them feel uncomfortable. Exploring together can foster natural discussion or teaching opportunities.
3. EMPOWER THEM WITH TOOLS
Empower your children with tools to feel safe navigating the internet. It is likely that they spend time alone navigating different apps and websites, so it is important that they have an action plan for different situations they may come across.
Talk about what personal details are inappropriate to share with people they don’t know. Show them the block buttons or exit buttons on their favorite apps, and let them know that they can always come to you for help. Teach them how to react if someone new messages them online or sends them a friend request.
Talk about what personal details are inappropriate to share with people they don’t know. Show them the block buttons or exit buttons on their favorite apps, and let them know that they can always come to you for help. Teach them how to react if someone new messages them online or sends them a friend request.
4. TALK ABOUT ONLINE FRIENDS VS. OFFLINE FRIENDS
Comparing similarities between online relationships to offline relationships may help children, especially of younger ages, to understand when and if it’s appropriate to connect with others online. Remind them that a healthy friend would never make them feel scared or force them to do something they don’t want to do.
Discuss how to set boundaries and say no online. If they are receiving friend or chat requests from new people, walk them through the steps to make sure it is someone they know and trust. Depending on their age, start discussing what the signs of grooming are and how to recognize them. People may appear nice online, but may be disguising their identity.
Discuss how to set boundaries and say no online. If they are receiving friend or chat requests from new people, walk them through the steps to make sure it is someone they know and trust. Depending on their age, start discussing what the signs of grooming are and how to recognize them. People may appear nice online, but may be disguising their identity.
5. WALK THROUGH POSSIBLE SCENARIOS
Not everyone is who you think they are.
It is easy for predators to create accounts that disguise their real identity.
Help your child understand what to look out for.
Here are some questions to guide discussion:
It is easy for predators to create accounts that disguise their real identity.
Help your child understand what to look out for.
Here are some questions to guide discussion:
Do you have common friends? Do any of your friends know them in real life?
How many followers does this person have? Does it seem realistic that this is a real person?
If the number of “following” is significantly more than “followers”, this can mean that it’s a fake account.
Are there any inappropriate pictures on this person’s account?
Do you share the same interests as this person? Does that mean they are safe?
6. ESTABLISH AGE-APPROPRIATE GUIDELINES
After taking this training, determine the best guidelines and rules to implement for your children. It is important to establish clear boundaries and rules, while also keeping open communication, so that your child feels free to safely explore and play.
If your child wants an app, download it on your phone first and look for chat features, safety features, and how to turn off locations and other features that may publicize personal information.
Although there are several safety features on most electronic devices,
the best prevention is an educated child.
If your child wants an app, download it on your phone first and look for chat features, safety features, and how to turn off locations and other features that may publicize personal information.
Although there are several safety features on most electronic devices,
the best prevention is an educated child.
