As parents, it becomes our duty and obligation to try to do every-thing we can to keep our youngsters safe and healthy. It ranges from providing them with a healthy diet, packing them with warm garments to protect them from cold wind in winters, keeping them hydrated when they venture out in scorching heat etc. But what about safeguarding them from inappropriate content online?

The internet is here to remain and with various teens going online many times daily, it’s time to introduce cyber safety know how to your parenting toolkit. Here are tips to get you started.

1. Keep screens and devices at a place where you can monitor them

Always keep a tab on your kid’s screen time. Keep the computer in a central spot in the home where it’s easy to keep an eye on what your child is doing and viewing online. For mobile and tablets, you may not allow them to use save password option so that that can-not use internet without your knowledge. You may also lovingly explain to them the merits of not using electronic devices in the bedroom. Ensure that you regularly check browser histories after your child has been online to see what sites they are visiting. This approach becomes tougher as children grow older and get to know how to find ways clear histories, so it's advisable to be open in communication about internet use at an early age.

2. Keep track of online time
It is advisable that children between the age of five and 17 should have no more than two hours of screen time a day. So, it’s important to monitor your child’s online time, particularly younger children, to ensure they do not develop bad habits. Get your children to agree on a period of time preferably, for 3 or 4 short durations.

3. Be open to kids about their online activity
As soon as your child starts accessing the internet, have an open discussion with them about what they are viewing, reading and who they are interacting with online. Keep the conversation an on-going process as they grow older. Talk to your child about what is appropriate, and remind them that this may be different for other parents and their children. Listen to your child and reach an agreement about what is right for your family. It’s vital to teach them about their online reputation, too, and how they must be care-ful about how they behave, interact with people and represent themselves in such a public forum.

4. Know who your children’s online friends are
As adults, we know that some people online aren’t who they say they are, but children and young people can be alarming naïve about who they are chatting with if they are not taught to be cyber wise from an early age. Make sure you become friends and contacts within your child’s social media circles and ensure you monitor posts. Your children may resist but tell them that is one of the conditions for you to al-low them access.

5. Understand your parental controls
Innocent searches online can lead to results that may not be innocent. It’s wise to know how to use search restrictions offered by web browsers, internet service provider and devices. For example, certain feature on Google will block sites with specific sexual material. To turn it on, go to Settings/Safe Search Filters. Parental controls can help prevent your child from seeing and accessing most violent or sexual material.

6. Keep control of your family’s digital footprint
Every image and private detail that uploaded and shared on social media and the web contributes to someone’s digital footprint. The massive risk with this is that once information is shared publicly, it can be utilized in ways you may not expect and cannot control. You should also additionally assume that anything that is put online is permanent (it can sometimes be deleted however not al-ways before others have seen it and saved it). For this reason, children and young people need to be smart about protecting their images and information. The same goes for parents who regularly post pictures of their children’s online. Teach your child to stay in control of their digital footprint, by only sharing with people who they know and trust. Rather than posting to all their friends on social media, encourage them to be selective and use the privacy settings on the social media platforms they use.

7. Guide your children how to keep location non-public
Most apps, networks and devices have geo-tagging features that make your whereabouts public and may lead someone to you. These options should be turned off for obvious privacy and safety reasons. Digital photos additionally contain information about the time, date and GPS coordinates which may reveal more than you need to. Some social media platforms automatically hide or re-move this data, but not all, so do your homework and know how much info you’re sharing. Guide your children how to:

• Keep information private.
• Report inappropriate and/or offensive posts.
• Block miscreants.

8. Be an example
Lead by example and perpetually model the sort of positive online behaviour you would love your kids to use. If they see you being cautious and respectable when you are online, they are more likely to follow in your footsteps. And, yes, this includes limiting your own screen time.

Ultimately, you don’t need to in still fear in your kid or prevent them from experiencing the many academic, recreational, social and other benefits of the internet, but rather give them the skills and knowledge they need to know how to make the most of it and avoid the hazards.