Internet Providers in Ontario Discuss Online Safety for Your Children
The World Wide Web is an amazing resource. Unlimited internet lets Toronto families browse a wealth of information, view and stream entertaining content, and connect with their friends, family, and loved ones. But the internet, for all its wonder, is not without its dangers. Practicing internet safety may seem daunting, but when it comes to our children, you know it’s worth it. That’s why internet providers across Ontario are dedicated to helping you keep your children secure when they go online. Here are some of the best ways you can cultivate safe browsing habits for your family:
Educate Yourself
They don’t call this the information age for nothing—more now than ever, knowledge is power. And knowledge of best practices for safe internet behaviour translates directly into the power to keep your family secure. After all, how can you teach your children something that you yourself don’t understand? That’s why it’s important to stay up-to-date on the latest online risks and how to avoid them.
Discuss Safety Early
How soon should you start having discussions about internet safety with your kids? According to Ontario internet providers, as soon as they start using the internet. That doesn’t mean you need to explain the complexity of how malware works to your kindergartener, but you can start small, and begin with the basics.
You can begin by outlining several basic rules. Our suggestions include:
- Don’t do or say anything online that you wouldn’t in real life
- Don’t share passwords or personal information, either online or in real life
- Remember that once it’s online, it can never fully be erased
- Don’t talk to strangers
- Don’t click on ads or suspicious content
- If something happens online, tell an adult
This is just a cursory list, and you can modify it to meet the needs of your family.
Secure Your Devices
In Toronto, unlimited internet means unlimited opportunities to expose your computer to security risks if you’re not careful. And try as you might, you can’t always turn your kids into internet security experts overnight. That’s why it is important to secure every device as best as you can. Use a complex password for your Wi-Fi. You should also have active anti-virus, anti-spyware, and anti-malware programs installed. You can also block sites that you know to be risky, and filter out potentially dangerous content.
Have an Open Door
Trust is important in any family. It’s also essential to online safety. Children who don’t feel a mutual trust with their parents aren’t likely to be open or forthcoming about their online habits, so it’s important to let your kids know that you trust them, and that they can trust you too. Have an open-door policy, so that they can come to you if they have any concerns or feel that they’ve made a careless mistake, and use it as an opportunity to learn, not to chastise.
For more details on how to keep you and your family secure online, feel free to get in touch with your unlimited internet provider in Toronto, Ontario.
