Raising kids doesn’t come with a guidebook. If you’re like me, you do the best you can with what you have. But figuring out when and how to talk about delicate subjects with our children is something that changes over time and depends on our own unique circumstances and personalities.
I follow a parenting approach that includes not avoiding certain topics, using simple words, and acknowledging feelings. However, this approach doesn’t explain when to talk to my child about online safety. What should I do as a mom?
Fortunately, my work is related to criminal activity, which allows me to closely observe fraudsters, conmen, and charlatans without having direct contact with them. This experience has given me insights into the criminal mind and an understanding of some of their tactics, which involve the use of technology to carry out their crimes.
For over a decade, I have been contemplating the impact of the internet on my children’s future. I anticipate that they will start using the internet at a much younger age than I did. When I was around 13, I got my first AOL email address, and despite not using it for over a decade, the account still exists. I joined MySpace and later signed up for Facebook in college, unaware of the implications and risks associated with these platforms. As a naive youngster, I believed I was invincible. Looking back, I remember engaging in some mischievous activities online, and if my mother had known, she would have reprimanded me.
During the pandemic, when schools closed, my child, who was under 13 at the time, had to, like many others, attend classes online. This experience made me realize that I was ill-prepared for addressing internet safety with my child.
I had so many questions about the Internet. What should I say to my young child? How can I explain what the Internet is, how it works, and all of the potential dangers? To find answers, I reached out to knowledgeable individuals and conducted my own research online.
Surprisingly, after relentlessly searching the Internet, I haven’t come across many guides for parents on discussing the online world that includes the good, the bad, and the ugly, and what we can do to teach our kids about it. I intend to write another entry about what research I managed to find and reflect on the effectiveness.
💡 This article aims to serve as a reminder of the need for more awareness and resources that address the potential dangers lurking on the Internet.
So when did I start talking to my child about internet awareness?
Much earlier than I had originally anticipated! When my child had to be online for school, we had “the talk.” My child experienced zoom classes as a single-digit aged youth. And we continue to talk about online interactions.
I would suggest this approach to other parents as well. There’s never a perfect time for discussing internet awareness, and it might feel awkward and uncomfortable. But that’s okay. We can face difficult conversations together. Just start having the discussions, and it is not a one-time thing. Keep talking about it, and talk about it as much as your child needs. Practice what you preach. Our kids follow their examples. Be a positive example for your child.
As a parent, it’s my responsibility to teach and guide my child safely through life. I need to be equipped with the knowledge and tools to help them.
So, let’s start where we can.
- If my child is five years old, we can begin with the ABCs of internet safety.
- If they’re ten, we can explore hidden systems and discuss potential risks.
- If they’re fifteen, we should encourage open dialogue, actively listen to them, and show curiosity about their interests.
We must never allow our kids to shut us out. It’s important to be open, honest, and transparent about the dangers of the internet and discuss them frequently. At this age, their minds are influenced by friends, social media, television, and even hormones, which all means that their decision-making may be confused and clouded.
They also may act impulsively without considering the consequences due to their immature understanding of the hidden dangers on the Internet. As parents, we need to be patient, calm and understanding during this challenging phase in our children’s lives.
If my child tells me that they feel unsafe, being scammed, or taken advantage of, I should listen to them and consider every possibility and every option to keep them safe.
A Curious Curmudgeon 