How much do you know about what your children do on the computer, phone, or on even devices like the Apple Watch?
There’s a world of information out there, but the cyberworld comes with a host of dangers.
"You always teach your kids at a young age, the 'stranger danger,' don't talk to strangers," said Detective Mike Silver of the Pembroke Pines Police Department Special Victims Unit.
But the problem is, "stranger danger" online doesn’t all look the same.
"We've had cases where a 65-year-old man had an online profile as if he were a 7-year-old child," Silver said. "He had the pictures and the backstory to back it up."
According to Silver, here are top six ways parents can protect their children online.
1. Clean up their page. Ask your child if they know a user.
"If you do not know that person in the real world, delete them," Silver said.
2. Educate yourself on the newest, latest social media trends. Not only teach yourself but your child too.
3. Set some good rules and enforce them. Just like in the real world, you could set an internet curfew for the cyber world, or no devices in the bedroom.
4. Think before you post. What footprint are they leaving for prospective employers or school recruiters? Is the post too revealing? Or are they giving away too much personal information?
It's not just about protecting them from others, but themselves. Silver says children may be communicating way above their age and downloading apps they shouldn't. 5. Think about ways you can watch them with special parental apps, like WebWatcher and My Mobile Watchdog.
6. If you feel like your child has been targeted by an online predator, report it.
It’s really about finding a good balance. Some experts say completely shutting teenagers out of social media could just make them sneakier, so look for teachable moments.
