Are You and Your Child Practicing Cyber Safety? #CyberSaftey #CyberTribe #MC #spon

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Being the mother of four children born in a very digital age, I do worry about their safety online. Quite a bit. The good thing is the Houseful of Littles – or the Ladybug, Lil Miss, and Sir Twizzler aren’t very prone to hopping online and sharing everything about their lives just yet. Our oldest son though, Nathaniel, is in an age group that is excited about everything happening around them, and not really knowledgeable of the fallout that statements made today can have tomorrow or the week after next. 

Working in social media provides me with a special platform to share with my son in real-time about things that happen from seemingly innocent comments, or status messages made in the heat of the moment. Wanting to also protect him from the horrid things that can be seen or said about him, is also a mission of mine. Cyber safety is definitely something that is front and center in the Houseful of Nicholes as of late. That’s why I am so excited that the Boys & Girls Club of America and Sprint have teamed up to offer tips and tricks to parents and their children via their Cyber Safety platform on the BGCA website. While they have various tests you can take, and tips you can read, I do have some of my own to share. 

Know What Sites Your Child Frequents

I actually have a computer program to help me out with this. It’s installed on all laptops, tablets, and desktops that my child has access to and, lets Mr. Houseful and me know where he has been online. Doing daily, weekly, or bi-monthly checks of the history of your child is totally feasible. I do random phone checks as well. The cellist also had to remove all apps that I was not happy with. If he doesn’t like it, he is more than welcome to pay his own telephone bill. 

While I am totally for some privacy for teens – like closing the door while you go to the bathroom, I do feel that it’s our responsibility to keep them safe AND respectful online. 

Friend Your Child On All Sites

Yes, we know. Most children would rather “die” than friend their parents on social media sites. We also know that children are getting savvy and learning privacy settings on places, or just moving en mass to another adult sparse site. Follow them. You can check out extra resources as well to help you navigate the very busy world of Cyber activity. 

Remind Your Children Of Rules

Our rules are simple. Act the same way online that we require him to act in public. That includes, no offering up of pertinent information, no swearing, no bullying, and use every ounce of common sense that you can muster. Essentially, don’t do anything to bring yourself or any others harm, whether you like them or not. 

The BGCAs #CyberTribe will be taking questions from parents who want to be #CyberSmart. If you are interested in submitting a question you can do so this way. 

To submit your questions to the CyberTribe:  

• Visit the BGCA CyberSafe site
• Visit the “Ask the CyberTribe” tab
• Click “Ask now”
• Write in your question, fill out your information (First Name, Last initial, City, and State) 
• Click “Submit”
• After hitting submit you will be given the change to enter the CyberSafe Futures Giveaway of a mini iPad!