The internet is a wonderful resource for children, but it also poses many risks and challenges. As a parent, you want to make sure your kids are safe, happy, and healthy online. But how do you do that? and are some parents guilty of negligence or child neglect by failing to implement proper procedures and security on the pc for their children to use is? There is so much good and also very harmful material available on the internet today ,much that is not and should not be accessible to a child or any ony under 18ys old. Should parents be held more accountable for making sure that their child is protected from harm while using the internet or have we produced a culture or parents that just don't understand or worse even do no not  care.  With the internet growing more powerful and Humans producing very advanced programs for the internet is the internet becoming more dangerous to us all, do we as society need to do more to understand it and protect us and our family from others who use it as a weapon to harm others ?

Here are some tips to help you keep your children safe online.

Talk to your kids about online safety

One of the most important things you can do as a parent is to have regular conversations with your kids about online safety. You can start by asking them what they do online, what they like and dislike, and who they talk to. You can also share your own experiences and concerns, and listen to their opinions and feelings.

You can use these conversations to teach your kids about the potential dangers and harms they may encounter online, such as cyberbullying, sexting, online predators, and exposure to inappropriate or harmful content. You can also explain to them the importance of keeping their personal information private, such as their name, address, phone number, school, and photos. You can also discuss the consequences of sharing or posting something online, and how it can affect their reputation, relationships, and future opportunities.

You can also use these conversations to set some rules and boundaries for your kids’ online activities, such as when, where, and how long they can go online, what sites and apps they can use, and who they can communicate with. You can also agree on some consequences if they break the rules, and some rewards if they follow them.

Use parental controls and tools

Another way to protect your kids online is to use parental controls and tools that can help you monitor, filter, and limit their online access. You can use these tools to block or restrict certain websites, apps, games, or content that you think are inappropriate or harmful for your kids. You can also use these tools to set time limits, track their online activity, and receive alerts or reports.

There are many parental controls and tools available, such as those provided by your internet service provider, browser, device, or operating system. You can also use third-party apps or software that offer more features and options. You can find some examples of parental controls and tools here.

However, parental controls and tools are not foolproof, and they can sometimes be bypassed or disabled by your kids. Therefore, you should not rely on them alone, and you should always check and update them regularly. You should also involve your kids in the process of setting up and using these tools, and explain to them why you are using them and how they work.

Educate yourself and your kids

Finally, you can protect your kids online by educating yourself and your kids about the latest online trends, issues, and resources. You can do this by reading, watching, or listening to reliable and reputable sources of information, such as websites, blogs, podcasts, videos, or books that offer online safety advice, tips, and guidance for parents and children. You can also join online communities, forums, or groups where you can share your experiences and learn from other parents.

You can also educate your kids by encouraging them to use online resources that are designed for children, such as websites, apps, games, or videos that are fun, educational, and age-appropriate. You can also help them find online resources that can support them if they have a problem or need help, such as helplines, chatbots, or websites that offer advice, counselling, or reporting services.

You can find some examples of online safety resources for parents and children here.

The internet is no longer just a place for information it's a danger zone and causes much  harm and distress if not used or policed correctly .  We at Good As New want to make sure everyone  stays safe using the internet and will give any help or advice if required, we run a computer service yes but we also have an obligation to make sure customers and others are safe using a PC or other device connected to the internet

I hope you found this blog post helpful and informative. If you have any questions or feedback, please leave a comment below. Thank you for reading! 😊