Earlier this year, Digital Parents kindly invited me to a special luncheon hosted by Norton by Symantec, the internet security specialists.
A frank, round table discussion about the realities and internet usage for the everyday family was not only insightful but extremely educational.
Last month, Norton hosted another lunch and provided us with an even more informative afternoon.
Talks were led by Norton’s Internet Safey Advocate, Marian Merritt, whose role is to offer families and consumers clear, actionable advice on Internet safety, from how to avoid being a victim of identity theft to what parents need to know about cyberbullying.
And with teenage children of her own, Marian had a wealth of information and knowledge to share.
The Norton team compiled this useful list of friendly tips for parents to help children stay safe online:
- Set aside time to discuss appropriate online behaviour with your children and create age-appropriate “House Rules” with your children about how you’ll use computers, tablets, smart phones and gaming systems in your family
- Show your children how to use security and privacy settings
- Be a positive role model and be aware that children like to imitate your behaviour
- Inform your children where to turn and how to react in case of a difficult situation, such as online bullying
- Make sure you use security software on all your family’s computers, tablets and smartphones
One point that came out strong and clear is that it’s not the parents job to “spy” or to constantly monitor our children’s internet usage and behaviour.
It’s about sitting down and working out what the house rules are when it comes to computers, smart phones and other devices that all the family use.
And as our children are constantly on-line and vulnerable to cyber-bullying, teaching them the “Sticks and stones” theory is no longer viable.
Norton Family is an on-line forum that’s full of tips and methods on how to keep a safe and protected environment.
We all know that the internet is forever changing.
Norton by Symantec are proactive in keeping parents and families to keep up and on track with what these changes are and what kind of impact they can bring.
What are your tips for keeping the on-line environment safe for your children?
I have 2 copies of the Norton 360 Multi-Device software to giveaway. Valued at $129.99, the package brings together powerful PC, Mac, Android smartphone and tablet protection to deliver a single solution that protects you on your various devices.
To enter:
- Answer the above question as a comment on this blog post
- Subscribe to With Some Grace
- Follow With Some Grace on Facebook
The important stuff:
- This giveaway is only open to Australian residents.
- Closing date is Monday, 14th of January.
- Both winners will be contacted via email on the following Tuesday.
- If one of the winners doesn’t reply to my email within 24 hours another winner will be chosen.
- Entries will be judged on merit and decision of the winners will be final.
- The software package will be sent to the winner by Digital Parents Collective.
*I was invited by Digital Parents to attend a Norton by Symantec lunch and was given a free copy of Norton 360 Multi-Device software. I also charged Digital Parents Collective an administration fee to run this giveaway. As always, all opinions are my own.
Seana Smith says
Hi Grace, ideally we’d keep all the devices in puyblic spaces but in practise we don’t. Both teens have computers in their rooms at various points. But we have talked a lot about safety and we do ask what they are up too and pop in to visit randomly. I am about to try something else too. I worry most about porn, but they tell me it’s really sad to watch porn so that’s good.
Seana Smith recently posted..Merry Christmas To You And Yours…. And A Very Happy Hogmanay Too
Nami says
Sound ideas. Fortunately, the school’s computer classes cover a lot of safety issues for the Internet and the phone. Still, when the time comes for these guys to get their own phone, we’ll be going over this info again.
Nami recently posted..Happy Birthday, Jesus
Pauline says
Be open, honest & communicate with your kids from an early age…it really does help with everything in the long run
suzanne says
keep an eye on your children activities on the computer. Usings Muti advices that stop them from accessing sites they shouldn’t to able to access and talk to them about the dangers of the internet. That you love them and you want to protect them from these sites and getting themselves into trouble.
Renee says
take part in what they do and pay attention to what they say
Sarah White says
Our computer is in the lounge room so we have access to it. We limit the time on the computer and have fun together on it.
melanie w says
our computer is in the family area i check any site my child wants to enter before they use it and check the computer history just to make sure theres no sneaky business going on. I also make sure my children are aware of the dangers of the internet world and cyber predators so they know why im so protective and why we want them to be safe online if they see anything they think is not right to show myself or their dad but i think keeping a watchful eye on your childrens internet use is the safest bet.
sarahjane says
Educate kids on the dangers of online safety.
-No sending photos to strangers
-No sending personal information
Block certain sites. You’ll be surprised how many kids visit a site because a friend has sent it to them someone else using the friend’s computer was viewing.