Online Safety
As technology becomes more prevalent and apparent in our children's lives so does our need to keep them safe. Heartford House is dedicated to educating and supporting families and children who experience online exploitation. See below for information on overcoming and navigating these new and challenging conversations.
Warning signs a child may be engaging in risky online behavior:
- Spending long hours online, especially at night.
- Obsessing over social media/online friends.
- Unexplained/unexpected gifts arriving in the mail.
- Suddenly turning off the computer or other device when you walk into the room.
- Withdrawal from family life and reluctance to discuss online activities.
If you notice any of these signs in your child:
- Open up the conversation to your child and let them know they aren’t in trouble.
- Discuss and agree on boundaries surrounding social media and gaming usage.
- Stay calm when responding and normalize the fact that the Internet is not always safe.
- Take further action if they disclose that they are engaging in risky online conversations.
- If that appears to be happening, report it to Law Enforcement and DCS.
- Recognize that the attitudes and behaviors of adults in regards to social media can affect adolescents’ social media use as well.
What to share with children:
- Follow the family rules, and those set by the Internet service provider.
- Encourage your children not to post or trade personal pictures.
- Discuss the impacts of revealing personal information such as your address, phone number, or school name or location.
- Use only a screen name and don't share passwords (other than with parents).
- Say no if someone you met online suggests getting together in person without parent approval and/or supervision. Even if the person you met online says they are a kid.
- Don’t respond to a threatening email, message, post, or text. Ask a parent if you are unsure about responding to something.
- Tell a parent or other trusted adult about any communication or conversation that was scary or hurtful.
Tips for parents:
- Have discussions with your kids about what appropriate online behavior looks like.
- Keep the computer in a common area of the house where you can watch and monitor its use, not in individual bedrooms. Monitor any time spent on smartphones or tablets.
- Bookmark kids' favorite sites for easy access.
- Check your credit card and phone bills for unfamiliar account charges.
- Take your child seriously if he or she reports an uncomfortable online exchange.
- Properly check and verify apps/games before allowing your child to download them.
- Follow age guidelines for social media platforms, and take advantage of teen safety features/parental controls.
Know what your children are really downloading. See above for information on
what these apps are really used for!
