How much do you know about technology and your child’s education? You might be surprised at the common myths and misconceptions many parents hold.
Especially since the pandemic, technology has become an integral part of every child’s learning experience. But as a parent, you didn’t grow up with technology the way your kids do now, so you may not know some of the best practices and tips to help your kids succeed.
That’s why I’m here to share some of the most important things you need to know about technology to get your child off to a good start to school.
Misconception #1 – Parental Controls Lose Your Child’s Trust
One of the biggest concerns parents often have is losing their child’s trust if they feel their privacy has been violated.
Mother and daughter are using a laptop. (Cyber Guy.com)
Children want to feel independent. But you can’t allow them to be too free online because their curiosity can lead to trouble.
By explaining the reasons and benefits of using parent control, You can show that you care about their well-being and safety.
You can respect your child’s opinions and preferences by including them in setting and adjusting parental controls.
By having regular conversations about their online experiences, you can encourage your children to share their thoughts and feelings with you.
The more openly you communicate about your online usage, the more your child will feel that they can trust you and that you trust them too.
Read more: 7 smart ways to keep your kids safe online
Myth #2 – Parental Controls Protect Children from Adult Content
Parental controls can certainly help reduce the amount of adult content your child is exposed to. However, you don’t have to rely entirely on these features to keep adult girlfriend content away all the time.
Certain websites and apps are automatically blocked, but some platforms may not consider their features inappropriate for children and may not suit you.
Take a closer look at the websites and apps your child can use when Parental Controls are turned on. If you come across something that isn’t covered, or later find your child exploring a platform you didn’t allow, take the necessary steps to mark that platform as restricted to your child. Add it to your list of places to visit. You can visit online.
Get Security Alerts with Free Cyberguy Newsletter – Click Here
Myth #3 – Your child is too smart to make mistakes online
This could lead to the previous tip. However, it’s worth reiterating that while you can raise your kids to be responsible and understand boundaries, they can still make mistakes online.
Children can and will continue to be exposed to many things online, and if children are not properly monitored, they may be talking to strangers they consider friends or You may end up in dangerous situations, such as making inappropriate posts online because of this. are doing.
I think we are all trying to raise our children to be smart and safe people, but they are still children. So be careful not to give your kids the freedom you give adults when it comes to online activities.
Mothers and children are using tablets. (Cyber Guy.com)
Best way to protect your device from hacking
Myth #4 – Having a private social media account is enough to protect your kids online
Your child’s social media accounts should always be private, regardless of what platform they use. This is always a safe option if you allow children to use it. Social media. Please note that having a private account does not guarantee that your child will be completely protected from online dangers.
Are you protected? Read our review of the best antivirus protection of 2023
A stranger can always pretend to be your child’s friend and request a follow, and your child could definitely fall for the trick and accept the request. You may start talking to a strange adult who you are sure is your friend, which can lead to very dangerous situations.
Always check the profiles of people your child follows to make sure they aren’t sending random messages.
Private accounts also have no child lock. This means your child can easily access their account settings and change their profile from public to private. Make sure it stays private.
Creating a profile and monitoring posts that way is also not a bad idea, regardless of the platform they’re using.
Misconception #5 – You can set parental controls once and forget about them
Read more: ‘Sharing’ Puts Kids in Danger
You don’t need to check on your kids 24/7, but neither do you want to rely entirely on parental controls to work automatically.
Children may find ways to circumvent parental controls or misbehave. Technology malfunctions all the time, so it would be a big mistake for her to trust these features 100%.
If you want to give your child a sense of freedom without making them feel like they need to be checked on all the time, you can just check on them a few times a week. It doesn’t have to be every hour or every day, but enough to check in and know if something went wrong.
Myth #6 – Foldable phones are safer for children than smartphones
Foldable phones are great if you want to give your child a safe and easy way to call and text. However, many flip phones today still have an Internet browser.
Foldable phones are much simpler in construction than regular smartphones, making it virtually impossible for parents to use parental controls or monitor their children’s internet activity on their phones.
If you find a phone with no internet access, feel free to let your child use it. If you can’t find anything like that, it’s a good idea to give your child a smartphone that can monitor their activities and keep them safe.
Misconception #7 – Parental Controls Are Foolproof and Can’t Be Hacked by Kids
Children are much more tech-savvy than you might think, especially since many of them have been exposed to technology since they were babies. Parental controls may be set on all of your child’s devices, but you should also be aware of the weaknesses of those controls to fully enable them.
Ways children can circumvent parental restrictions include: private browserhide apps you shouldn’t download, connect to hotspots on other devices in your home, and more.
Take this seriously and do your best to be honest with your kids about online access so they don’t feel the need to do anything behind their backs.
Myth #8 – Technology is bad for children’s health and development
Some parents worry that overuse of technology can negatively impact their children’s physical and mental health, including eye strain, headaches, obesity, sleep problems, and social isolation. There may be
These are legitimate concerns, but can be prevented or minimized by following some simple guidelines. For example, limit your child’s screen time to a reasonable amount of time, encourage breaks and other activities, adjust screen brightness and contrast, use blue light filters or glasses for her, and monitor her online interactions. can do.
Technology can have positive effects on your child’s health and development, including improved cognitive skills, creativity, communication and collaboration.
Myth #9 – Technology is for entertainment, not learning
Some parents may think that technology is just a distraction or a waste of time for their children and has nothing to do with education. But this is not true.
Technology can be a powerful tool for learning, helping your child access a wealth of information, resources and opportunities they might not otherwise have.
Technology also helps personalize your child’s learning, engage them in interactive and immersive experiences, and connect with people around the world.
Misconception #10 – Kids already know everything, so they don’t need to be taught about technology
Some parents may assume their child is a digital expert who knows how to use technology intuitively and effortlessly. However, this is a myth. Being able to use technology does not mean that it can be used wisely, safely, responsibly and ethically.
The mother is watching and the child is operating the mobile phone. (Cyber Guy.com)
Are you protected? Read our review of the best antivirus protection of 2023
Children are still being taught by their parents to develop their digital literacy skills, including finding and evaluating information, creating and sharing content, protecting privacy and security, respecting the rights and feelings of others, and coping with online challenges and risks. in need of guidance and support.
You can help your child by developing good digital habits, having open and honest conversations, setting rules and boundaries, and offering feedback and encouragement.
What else can you do to monitor your child’s technology use?
If you want to do more than simply set parental controls on your child’s device, there are monitoring programs that can help further protect your child’s safety online.
Child monitoring programs help track usage time, location monitoring, blocking access to certain apps, and more.
Cart key points
Technology is a powerful ally in your child’s learning, but it also comes with some challenges and risks. That’s why it’s important to be aware of common myths and misconceptions that many parents have and follow best practices and tips to help your child succeed.
Remember you are not alone on this journey. You can always ask other parents, teachers and professionals for advice and support.
Which myths do you agree or disagree with? Should technology be part of your child’s education? Frustrated by its increased use in schools? Cyberguy.com/contact.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
For more of my tech tips and security warnings, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Reports newsletter at the link below. Cyberguy.com/Newsletter
Copyright 2023 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.
WFOX
