How to keep your child safe from predators
Be Smart Be Safe
How to keep your child safe from predators in the digital era requires more than just advising them not to communicate with strangers. The idea of ‘strangers’ has changed as a result of social media’s ease of connecting. Rather, it’s imperative to teach kids about internet safety, stressing the need of never providing personal information or having private conversations with people they meet online, no matter how kind they may appear.
Here are some important points for parents.
Good and Bad Touch
It is crucial to make sure kids understand the basic ideas of body safety and to encourage honest communication. Teach children about limits, making it clear which body parts are acceptable for affection and which are not. Emphasize that no one is allowed to contact them in a way that causes them pain. By gaining this knowledge, kids learn self-control over their body and the courage to speak up when limits are crossed—two essential abilities for managing personal safety.
Fact: Children in the first year of their life are 15% of all victims, and more than a
quarter (28%) of child maltreatment victims are no more than 2 years old.
Confidence Building
Assure your kids that you’ll take any complaints seriously, even if they include family members, to help them feel more confident. Encourage a friendly, honest relationship where they feel at ease enough to divulge information. Because of this trust, kids can voice their worries in a secure space without fear of rejection or incredulity. By sustaining this relationship, you provide your kids the confidence to confide in you about any upsetting events, protecting their emotional security and well-being.
To say No
Teach kids to politely refuse requests to do things that make them uncomfortable. To strengthen the ability, go through these scenarios together. You can give children the ability to set limits and put their own comfort and safety first by teaching them to politely decline requests that they don’t wish to accept. This proactive approach fosters independence and self-advocacy in children by providing them with the tools to overcome difficult situations.
Fact: Some 80% of children in 25 countries report feeling in
danger of sexual abuse or exploitation online. UNICEF
Must Read: Making sure kids stay safe in the kitchen
Sharing Secrets
It is important to teach kids how to tell the difference between good and evil secrets. Good secrets are loved by all and make people happy. Bad secrets, on the other hand, are uncomfortable and frequently involve withholding information from parents. Children can be taught to distinguish between secrets that are safe and those that could be dangerous. With this understanding, they may protect their wellbeing and promote open communication by identifying and handling uncomfortable circumstances.
Device Rules
Set ground rules for the use of devices, including guidelines for appropriate material and time limitations. Sometimes it’s necessary to keep an eye on chat access and browser history to make sure everyone is secure. Parents may help their children develop responsible digital habits and shield them from inappropriate online interactions and information by putting these precautions in place. This proactive strategy protects kids from possible hazards connected with unrestrained internet access while fostering a healthy balance between technology use and offline activities.
Sense of Stranger
Teach kids to be cautious whether they’re alone themselves or with somebody they know well because not everyone they meet is reliable. Advise them to exercise caution with people they spend a lot of time with, including drivers or authoritative figures. By teaching kids this knowledge, parents can help them be safe and healthy by teaching them how to navigate their environment with discernment. By taking a proactive stance, they are able to acquire the abilities needed to identify such threats and safeguard themselves.
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