Ask Ada: How to encourage your children to positive online behaviour

Most of us understand the online world has dark corners that are likely to expose your children to experiences and content they aren’t old enough or prepared to see. If our children are in these spaces posting content, how are we ensuring they are posting with positive intent? With this in mind, it is helpful to teach our kids the importance of having values, responsibility, and purpose when posting online.

One of our readers is going through this very challenge and has asked how they can teach their child about positive posting. As a parent, I relate to this concern and have come up with some tips on how we can help encourage the next generation of positive digital citizens.

Educate yourself
Explore the online world together. I encourage all parents to spend some time learning about the digital environment that is available to their child. See the apps they are downloading and understand what their purpose is.

Talk to other parents
Parents you know are likely going through similar experiences with their children, so why not compare notes? You’d be amazed by the advice you receive from someone who has gone through something similar.

Check online reviews and articles
Look online about what's being said about the platform your child is spending time in. Find sites that publish articles about apps and websites. Many of these sites offer great advice geared towards educating and helping parents and families.

Check in with your child
Ask your child what apps they and their friends are using. You may be shocked at how fluent children are on these apps and sites even at their young age. Trust me; this process will help you feel more connected with your child, something we as humans crave.

Try it out for yourself
Don't just wave the white flag and surrender! You can stay current and have basic knowledge about 'what the kids are doing these days.' Visit some of the sites and apps that are being used by your child and their friends. Explore the features and see if it’s easy to come across inappropriate content.

Create Guidelines
Talk about online safety. Create a set of family values and guidelines when posting. These guidelines will keep the whole family on the same page and accountable for their actions online. Regularly have conversations with your child, that are open and understanding, and discuss setting boundaries and what’s appropriate behaviour online.

Parental Controls
Manage your settings and controls for your family. There is a lot that a parent can do to monitor their child’s activity on their devices and online. These controls are there to help, so take advantage of that and use them! There are also apps out there that are designed specifically with kids in mind and provide age-appropriate content.

Navigating the fast-paced digital world can be a challenge for children and youth. Children are gaining access to their own smartphone or device at early ages, and as parents, it is our role to educate and prepare them for the experiences they’ll encounter online. These guidelines are intended to create positive conversations between families where both parent and child feel open sharing any concerns they may have. Let's work towards giving power to the families as we raise the next generation of digital citizens!

If you are seeking advice in the world of tech and how it affects you and your family, we encourage you to send an email to Askada@mazufamily.com, and we will do our best to provide practical, insightful advice.

Janice Taylor is a social entrepreneur, mother, speaker, author and online safety advocate. Her credo of compassion, community, and caring drives the vision of her company Mazu, a safe and fun online platform for families. Mazu gives parents a place to communicate, play and connect with their children in a safe engagement environment.