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Serious question, if you have kids how do you keep them safe online? I'm thinking just keep them offline. Literally. If they want to know something, download it for them, give them that data in some form for them to consume offline. If they want the freedom to search, compile a compendium YOURSELF of things you feel are appropriate for them at the time. They then have a massive offline encyclopedia to enjoy free from any potential traumatic interactions.
@Jazzy_Butts The best thing to do (maybe?) is teach them internet safety while they're learning how to use devices in general. Monitor them in their early years and gradually get more hands off with age, and just hope the things you taught them and warned them about got internalized enough to reduce their risks. Keeping them offline permanently isn't going to stop them from finding ways online altogether, they're going to have peers who help them evade that. Plus, like it or not, more of our social needs are satisfied online than ever. They'd need more social hobbies to replace that, which again, is just going to make them realize how weird it is they're heavily restricted from the internet.
You want them to trust you to trust them, so they're more willingly to tell you problems later on if they have them.
You want them to trust you to trust them, so they're more willingly to tell you problems later on if they have them.
@Jazzy_Butts I can get the desire to want to keep them safe online, but I think such restrictions is... A bit much. I can only really justify this for... A 6 or 7 year old, maybe. Even then, you are still crushing any form of online autonomy.
I'd imagine it'd be better to build a trusting relationship with them so they can feel comfortable coming to you for help if needed.
Yeah, letting your child have autonomy - even if limited - could be dangerous, but that's why you're here. To protect and help them when the time comes, not to cut off their limbs and box them in the name of potential threats.
Bad things have happened to me online, but I wouldn't be where I am today if I was cut off from the internet at 11, even partially.
I'd imagine it'd be better to build a trusting relationship with them so they can feel comfortable coming to you for help if needed.
Yeah, letting your child have autonomy - even if limited - could be dangerous, but that's why you're here. To protect and help them when the time comes, not to cut off their limbs and box them in the name of potential threats.
Bad things have happened to me online, but I wouldn't be where I am today if I was cut off from the internet at 11, even partially.
@Papergal @Jazzy_Butts guide and nurture, not trap and restrict. They're gonna fall and get booboos from time to time. Teach them how to handle it with trust and care so they don't hide it from you.
1) is unfeasible
2) destroys social life (important)
3) harshly limits their ability to learn independently
4) is the digital equivalent of locking them in the basement