1. Set Clear Screen Time Limits
   Establish specific times for using the computer and explain why these limits are important. Encourage your kids to develop a sense of responsibility and self-discipline.

2. Keep Personal Information Private
   Make sure your kids understand the importance of not sharing personal details like their name, home address, phone number, email, passwords, school information, and financial details. Online predators often target children who unknowingly disclose such information.

3. Avoid Online Gambling
   Teach your kids about the risks of online gambling and why it’s important to stay away from it. Explain that gambling involves high risks and can lead to significant losses.

4. Use Nicknames Online
   Encourage your kids to use pseudonyms or nicknames when chatting online or participating in forums to protect their identity.

5. Skip Online Contests and Surveys
   Warn your kids about the dangers of filling out online contests, surveys, and registration forms. These often ask for personal information and can be used by spammers to gather email addresses.

6. Handle Emails with Caution
   Teach your kids never to open, download attachments, or reply to emails from unknown senders. Explain that spammers can verify email addresses through replies and that attachments may contain harmful viruses.

7. Stick to Public Chat Rooms
   Encourage your kids to stay in moderated public chat rooms and avoid private chats. This reduces the risk of encountering inappropriate behavior or harassment.

8. Seek Permission Before Meeting Online Friends
   Make sure your kids know they must always ask for permission before meeting someone they’ve met online. Emphasize the importance of caution, as people may not be who they claim to be.

9. Verify Before Downloading
   Teach your kids to check with you before downloading any programs, even if they come from reputable sites. Many downloads can include hidden spyware or viruses.

10. Report Disturbing Content
    Encourage your kids to come to you immediately if they encounter any disturbing images or content online. Keeping open communication helps ensure their safety.

By teaching your children these essential internet safety rules, you can help them navigate the digital world more securely. Staying informed and vigilant about the latest online trends and threats is crucial for both parents and children. Ensuring a safe online environment is a continuous process, so keep the conversation going and make internet safety a regular topic in your household.

The professionals at ��ë���˵���personally assist nannies, babysitters and families in St. Louis, Atlanta, Chicago, Nashville, Memphis, Charlotte, Miami and Orlando to find the right childcare arrangement. Our mission is to provide a safe and personalized  approach for families and caregivers to connect with each other that is not an internet search. TLC has worked with families, nannies, sitters, newborn care providers, and tutors for over 35 years and looks forward to working with you! To find great nanny and babysitting jobs visit us at tlc@tlcforkids.com or Call 314-725-5660.

The post Keeping Kids Safe Online: Modern Tips for Internet Safety and Screen Time Management appeared first on TLC Family Care.

1. Follow the specific time to use the computer. Explain to them why there is a need to set internet time. Let them develop obedience as a virtue and a sense of responsibility for their actions.

2. Never share personal information to strangers you meet online. These include: name, home address, phone number, email address, password, school information, bank account information, and credit card numbers. Online predators are everywhere and their main targets are your kids who are innocently giving their personal information that can put their safety on the line.

3. Never engage in online gambling. Gambling is simply, taking risks. And most of the time the risks are high.

4. Use a pseudo name or nickname when using instant messaging or entering chat rooms.

5. Avoid filling out online contests, surveys, and registration forms. They ask too much personal information including email address. Take note that spammers can collect email addresses from the web using programs such as bots, crawlers, and spiders.

6. Never open, download attachments, and reply to emails from unknown senders. The best way for spammers to know if the addresses are correct is by receiving a reply. So teach your kids to remove spam immediately from their inbox. Also, attachments from spam usually contain viruses that can cause damage to your file and computer.

7. Stay in moderated public chart rooms and avoid private chats. This will keep your kids away from harassing other people.

8. Teach them to ask permission first before meeting up with someone you meet online. The rule of the thumb is clear: never trust anyone you meet online. People may not be who they say they are.

9. Check before downloading anything. There are free downloadable programs on the internet with free spyware and viruses as well. Ask your parents first about the program even if the programs come from reputable sites.

10. If they see some images or web contents that are disturbing, instruct your kids to tell you right away.

TLC For Kids, Inc. has been St. Louis’ premier nanny and babysitting agency for over 30 years. TLC For Kids’ dedicated staff is ready to assist you in finding nannies, tutors, newborn care specialists, sitters and more.  Reach us at tlc@tlcforkids.com or 314-725-5660

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