Keeping Kids Safe Online

There is a lot going on these days – and you may feel like you don’t have everything figured out. It’s ok – take it one day at a time.

Are your kids spending more time online or in front of a screen? How can you ensure they are staying safe when they’re in virtual environments?

It’s important to set some ground rules and be proactive, just like you would if your children were going to a friend’s house.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

  • If possible, connect with your kids before, during, and after online use – know who they will be with virtually, where they are going virtually, and what they will be doing.
  • Discuss how any new scenarios, like virtual school, will affect your current rules around devices, apps, and the internet.
  • Internet safety tips

5 days action with childKeep Kids Safe and Busy

With changes to your regular routines, are you looking for ways to keep your kids busy and safe at the same time? When thinking through activities, it’s important to think about the three main principles for minimizing the opportunity of abuse – preventing isolation, keeping situations interruptible, and setting expectations. Try to think about these principles as you make plans for your kids. Check out a sample daily calendar you can adapt.

All kids are different, be flexible, and let them be a part of the planning!

Being the safe adult!

Do you know what a safe adult is? Do your kids? Safe adults are the ones kids know they can trust if they need help.

But, it’s more than that.

Safe adult status matters more than just when it’s “crunch-time.” We know life can be stressful, and it is easy for kids and parents to get overwhelmed. This is why it’s important to have an open line of communication with your kids at all times, so no matter what is going on in your life, they know they can communicate their feelings with you. By being a safe adult in good times, you’ll automatically be a safe adult for them to turn to when things aren’t going right.

Do you know how to recognize the behaviors of safe adults? Download these two worksheets created by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children – one is for adults and one is for kids.

5 days of action family outsideCode of Conduct

A pre-determined set of values around bodies and boundaries can go a long way toward protecting your kids from sexual abuse. It can help kids understand what acceptable and unacceptable behavior is, help them make informed decisions, and ultimately avoid dangerous situations. We call this set of values a “Code of Conduct.”

But, how do you define your values and set expectations for them?

Create a family code of conduct! How? Find the Family Code of Conduct Worksheet here.

Topics to include:

  • How do you treat others?
  • Playdates and hangouts
  • Photos
  • Sleepovers
  • Babysitters
  • Internet & Social Media Safety

Get started!

Be prepared to protect kids under any circumstances.

Want to learn more? Take the Protecting Children During a Crisis training at no charge:  https://www.d2l.org/education/additional-training/protecting-children-during-crisis/

Remember, you can find more resources at www.fivedaysofaction.org. Thank you for making Five Days of Action a success!