Keeping children safe online during COVID-19
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Children and teens are now spending a lot more time online. Being connected helps them reduce the impact of COVID-19 and encourages them to continue with their lives…but it also presents risks and dangers.
Online risks
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Adults targeting children for sexual purposes on social media, gaming, and messaging platforms.
Harmful content – violence, misogyny, xenophobia, inciting suicide and self-harm, misinformation, etc.
Teens sharing personal information and sexual photos or videos of themselves.
Cyber bullying from peers and strangers.
Tech fixes to protect your children online
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Set up parental controls.
Turn on Safe Search on your browser.
Set up strict privacy settings on online apps and games.
Cover webcams when not in use.
Create healthy and safe online habits
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Involve your child or teen in creating family tech agreements about healthy device use.
Create device-free spaces and times in your house (eating, sleeping, and playing, schoolwork).
Help your children learn how to keep personal information private, especially from strangers – some people are not who they say they are!
Remind your children that what goes online stays online (messages, photos, and videos).
Spend time with your child or teen online
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Explore websites, social media, games, and apps together.
Talk to your teen on how to report inappropriate content (see below).
Common Sense Media has great advice for apps, games and entertainment for different ages.
Keep your children safe with open communication
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Tell your children that if they experience something online that makes them feel upset, uncomfortable, or scared, they can talk to you and you will not get mad or punish them.
Be alert to signs of distress. Notice if your child is being withdrawn, upset, secretive, or obsessed with online activities.
Create trusting relationships and open communication through positive support and encouragement.
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Note- that every child is unique and may use different ways to communicate. Take time to adjust your message for your child's. needs. For example, children with learning disabilities, may require information in simple format.
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Family harmony at home
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When we model peaceful and loving relationships, our children feel more secure and loved. Positive language, active listening and empathy help maintain a peaceful and happy family environment during these stressful times.
We are models for our kids
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How we talk and behave in front of others is a big influence on how they behave too!
Try to talk kindly to everyone in the family, adults and children.
Bad communication between adults in the household can have a negative impact on our children.
The more we practice modelling peaceful, loving relationships for our children the more secure and loved they will feel.
Use positive language. It works!
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Tell others what you want them to do instead of what you don’t want them to do: Instead of “Stop shouting,” try “Please speak more quietly”.
Praise makes others feel appreciated and good about themselves. Simple words like, “Thank you for clearing the dinner,” or “Thank you for watching the baby” can make a big difference.
Nice things to do together as a family
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Let each family member take turns to choose a whole-family activity each day.
Find ways to spend quality time with your partner and other adults in your home, too!
Be an empathetic active listener
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Listen to others when they are talking with you.
Be open and show them that you hear what they are saying.
It can help to even summarize what you have heard before responding: “What I hear you saying is…”.
Share the load
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Looking after children and other family members is difficult, but it’s much easier when responsibilities are shared.
Try to share household chores, childcare, and other tasks equally among family members.
Create a schedule for time “on” and time “off” with other adults in your household.
It is okay to ask for help when you are feeling tired or stressed, so that you can take a break.
Feeling stressed or angry?
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Give yourself a 10-second pause. Breathe in and out slowly five times. Then try to respond in a calmer way. Millions of parents say this helps -A LOT!
Call a truce when you can see arguments building up, and go into another room or outside if you can.
Chanakya Taranga Galappatty
http://5d6cbaefaaabe.site123.me/
https://www.upwork.com/users/~01e89e99ecc01fd57b
