05/05/2017
**ONLINE SAFETY For Our Kids**
below is an excerpt from cyber bullying & online safety expert- Ms McLean's interview.that i believe has some awesome points..
"Kik is the main one, it's a very popular app for sexual predators worldwide, but even Minecraft, social media, any instant messaging app," Ms McLean said.
"Most apps do have good security and don't pose a problem, but there are a lot that do."
She said parents had the responsibility to monitor what devices their children used and their activity.
"Legally you have to be 13 to have Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, all those, but some parents just don't seem to care and let them on social media without thinking of the consequences," Ms McLean said.
"A parent should be fully aware of what their child is doing online, what apps they're using, who they're talking to. (They) should have their passwords and be checking accounts and seeing the communication back and forwards."
She said the cyber safety message needed to start from day one.
"The minute a child is given a device, that conversation about appropriate ways to act online and what not to do has to start - so age three or four," Ms McLean said.
When the child turns 13 and is legally allowed to have those accounts, Ms McLean encouraged parents to have a serious think about whether the app or site was suitable for their child and closely monitor all activities.
Some signs your child may be having issues online include:
- Change in behaviour. They may seem quiet or withdrawn, not want to go to school.
- Mysterious ailments. Child may say they have a headache or feel sick right before they have to go to school.
- Extra secretive about their online activities, or are online more than usual, or not going online at all.
"We want parents to be the best experts on their children and notice any slight changes, then investigate," she said.
"What a lot of parents do is put this behaviour down to being a teenager or a kid and this too often ends in tragedy.
"Yes teens will act in a certain way, but you can't assume their change in behaviour is part of adolescence."