Teaching Our Children Online Etiquette

The Internet is full of so many teachable moments but teaching our children online etiquette cannot be ignored. It is never too early to start teaching our children online etiquette. This should include how to stay safe, interact and how to behave online.

Your children need to understand that the behaviours you won’t accept in your home shouldn’t be exhibited online as well.

It’s important to use some form of parental control on all technology from the beginning – so that when your children are older, parental involvement in technology use feels like a part of normal life Click To Tweet

So how can we as parents have or start good conversations with our children about online etiquette?

We need to teach our children what we already know – that the digital world is very much like the real one: it has the good, bad, and downright ugly. Most times, people don’t understand the concept of boundaries.

One of the most important conversations to have with your children about the online space is the art of having healthy digital boundaries; start by encouraging your children to unplug regularly.

Check out a few ideas on how to start an online conversation with your children:

  • Tell them derogatory comments about individuals or groups can be considered as inciting hatred.
  • Let them know never to post comments encouraging violent activity against people or organisations.
  • Abusive comments or unwanted images on someone else’s page. For example, deliberately causing offence with comments or images is not only offensive; but it’s also a crime and can lead to jail time.
  • Teach them that harassing anyone online can be considered stalking. No matter how much they fancy a celebrity, explain to your children that if someone blocks them or rejects their friend request on a social media site, they cannot harass them.
  • And the most important conversation you can have with your children about social media is privacy. Tell them never to share private information without your consent.

 

Need more help? Watch this video…

Culled from www.time.com www.mums.bodyandsoul.com.au

Read also Importance of Social Media Etiquette For Teens

Scroll to Top