To help keep our students safe and informed about online tools, Erskine Stewart Melville welcomed parents to the Tom Fleming Centre for a presentation by Childnet International about how to protect children from online harm while fostering healthy habits from the start of their online life. The talk was part of a series of ongoing workshops that the school is putting on to equip parents with the tools they need to better understand the day-to-day challenges their children are facing.
Childnet’s primary aim is to make the internet a safe space for children while also empowering them in their online lives. The charity crafts policies with government, sits on safety advisory councils for major tech companies, and ensures that children’s voices and opinions on the internet are heard and valued.
During the presentation, Childnet provided parents with a brochure that included tips on how to talk to children about the internet as well as an example of a Family Agreement, both of which can be found on the charity’s website.
Here are some of Childnet’s recommendations on how to address online life with your child:
Start Positive
The goal isn’t to discourage children from using the internet, instead it’s about teaching your child how to use it safely and educating them on what they’re accessing. That’s why Childnet encourages parents to speak positively about going online, taking an interest in the different apps, games, or trends that children are exploring. By creating a positive space around internet use, children may be more open to discussing online safety and difficult issues further down the line.
Work Together
It’s important to set clear expectations as a family around internet use. This is where Childnet’s Family Agreement comes in. It’s an opportunity to create a written plan that outlines goals and boundaries. For instance, your child may commit to only being online for a certain amount of time each day; they may commit to making their social media profiles private; or maybe it’s just that they’ll communicate to you if they see something upsetting.
As the parent, you also need to make commitments. Maybe it’s revisiting parental controls as your child gets older or agreeing not to post photos of your child without their permission. Either way, it only works if you discuss the expectations together.
Make it Relevant
As hard as it is to admit, children don’t stay toddlers forever. As your child gets older, their internet use will change. So should the way you talk to your child about the internet. To ensure you’re aware of your child’s online life, Childnet suggests prompting them with open-ended questions about what they’re seeing and engaging with. This will give a sense of what they know and how much support they may need.
Plan for Difficult Conversations
The internet contains a lot of things our children may not be ready for. Often they encounter them much earlier than we expect. It’s best to be prepared to talk to them about it. Childnet’s website offers a range of resources on how to address different topics.
When the conversation happens, it’s important that you stay calm and positive. Get your child’s thoughts first to understand what they’ve seen and how they feel about it. You may want to discuss how your child thinks young people in general would feel about the issue rather than pressuring them to talk about their specific situation.
Support Them
No matter what your child is dealing with online, never approach them with blame or criticism. You want them to feel willing to share. Don’t pressure them to speak before they’re ready. Reassure them that you just want to help make things better.
If you feel your child needs further support, you can find helplines and advice on how to report concerning content on Childnet’s website.
