Raising Privacy-Savvy Kids
January 28th, 2021
Digitally connected families must think about safety and security both online and offline. Children are taught basic safety and security, like not talking to strangers and looking both ways before crossing the street. Teaching young people easy-to-learn life lessons for online safety and privacy begins with parents leading the way.
Tips for Parents
- PERSONAL INFORMATION IS LIKE MONEY: VALUE IT & PROTECT IT - Information about your kids, such as the games they like to play and what they search for online, has value ‒ just like money. Talk to your kids about how to be selective with the information they provide to apps and websites. Discuss what types of information they should share, and what types of information (such as addresses, photos, phone numbers, etc.) they should not share.
- WHAT HAPPENS ONLINE STAYS ONLINE - Help your children understand that any information they share online can easily be copied and is almost impossible to take back. Teach them to consider who might see a post and how it might be perceived in the future.
- OWN YOUR ONLINE PRESENCE - Start a conversation about the public nature of the Internet early. Learn about and teach your kids how to use privacy and security settings on their favorite online games, apps and platforms. Take a moment to configure them together – explaining why you are restricting some features (such as location tracking).
- REMAIN POSITIVELY ENGAGED - Pay attention to and know the online environments your children use. There are good and bad neighborhoods, and the online world is no different. Help them to identify safe and trusted websites and apps. Encourage them to be cautious about clicking on, downloading, posting and uploading content.
- POST ONLY ABOUT OTHERS AS YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THEM POST ABOUT YOU - Remind children and family members about the golden rule and that it applies online as well. What they do online can positively or negatively impact other people.
- BE HONEST ABOUT THREATS - Be real with your kids. Talk to them about the threats they can face online and why keeping their personal information private is so important to their safety.
The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) gives parents control over what information websites can collect from their kids. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) – the nation’s consumer protection agency – enforces the COPPA Rule, which spells out what operators of websites and online services must do to protect the privacy and safety online for children under 13 years old.
Do your part - #BeCyberSmart
Resources:
FTC: Protecting your child’s privacy online
Consumer Reports: How to protect children’s online privacy
Stay Safe Online: National Cybersecurity Alliance
