LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — As kids settle into a new school year, they’ll probably spend more time online. That makes this the perfect time to talk to them about protecting their personal information while on the computer.
Parental controls can help by restricting who kids can chat with and which apps they can download, but they’re no substitute for common sense. So, the Federal Trade Commission suggests starting a conversation at an early age.
Discuss what details should and shouldn’t be shared in group chats or on social media. Talk about passwords; how to make them hard to guess, and why numbers and special characters are important.
The FTC also recommends discussing online account and password sharing. It urges parents to set guidelines for that. And be sure to talk about cyberbullying, and let kids know it’s okay to ask for help if they ever feel uncomfortable online. For older kids, experts recommend pointing out examples of phishing or smishing scams so they know what to watch out for.
The FTC has a series of downloadable videos called Youville, that can help you teach your youngsters more about staying safe online.
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