How Do You Teach Kids To Chat Safely Online?
The Information Age has made it extremely easy for kids to chat online even when we diligently enforce all precautions. Kids do find ways to chat. Kids sometimes disobey those rules already in place. Chatting safely online helps our children learn what is necessary to stay safe even when we’re not around to protect them. Encourage kids to give out nicknames only. First names, middle names, and especially last names are unnecessary and dangerous. Even names of parents, relatives, friends, classmates and teachers are off limits. Persuade kids to steer clear of any information that might suggest where they live. The state, city, street and even school your child goes to should remain private information. Teach kids to use the phrase “Let me ask my parents first.” Anyone who discourages a kid from doing that should be immediately shut down. Chatters asking for phone numbers or physical descriptions are to be avoided. Instruct kids that a topic such as sports is acceptable. But who you play
