Five keyways to protect kids online:

1. Use Parental Control Software
Install parental control tools that allow you to monitor and restrict what your child can access online. These tools can block inappropriate content, set time limits, and track online activity.
Examples include apps like Net Nanny, Qustodio, and Google Family Link.
2. Educate Them About Online Safety
Teach children about the importance of not sharing personal information (such as name, address, school, or phone number) with strangers online.
Discuss the risks of talking to unknown people, online scams, and how to recognize suspicious behavior.
3. Establish Screen Time Limits
Set time boundaries for online activity, especially for social media and gaming. This reduces exposure to potential risks and encourages healthy online habits.
Many devices and apps have built-in features to help manage screen time.
4. Monitor Social Media and Communication
Keep track of which social media platforms your child uses and who they are interacting with.
Ensure they know how to report and block inappropriate content or people who make them uncomfortable.
5. Use Strong Passwords and Enable Privacy Settings
Teach children the importance of using strong, unique passwords for their accounts and the value of keeping them private.
Ensure their privacy settings are enabled on apps and social media to limit who can view their content or contact them.