Let’s face it – keeping up with how your kids use technology is one of the hardest jobs for parents today.
As the school year rolls around, an online technologist wants to help ease some of the burden.
“What can we do when our kids are online, and how can we encourage them to be safe, kind and savvy,” said Lynette Owens, vice president of Trend Micro.
Her advice: Use parental controls and other security and software settings to reduce online risks.
Talk to your child about privacy, strong passwords, and security. Owens said parents should make a point of being a minimalist, which means not posting too much information online that might attract malicious people.
As for teens looking to spend some of their hard-earned money from their first job, she says talk to them about deals that seem too good to be true, rather than just trusting what you see on social platforms advertisment.
Regardless of the topic or new trends, always combine your child’s use of technology with regular check-ins. Keep the lines of communication open so they can come to you if there is a problem or concern.
“The use of technology to socialize is very, very important for students. If we continue to be involved as parents, keep the lines of communication open, make sure they feel like they can come to us if they find something disturbing or worrying, that’s not something we need to be afraid of things,” Owens said.
Need help navigating it all?
Trend Micro offers free virtual programs to parents across the country during the school year. “Family Tech Talk” discusses the latest tips for parents to pay attention to several times a month in English and Spanish.
You can ask questions in real time. For more information or to register, click here.
In the end, with school and screen time after that, it added up. Owens urged parents to be mindful of the physical cost of technology. Does your child have eyestrain? Headache, neck pain?
Encourage children to take breaks and limit their screen time.
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