Introduction
It is inevitable for children to use the internet for assignments, to send emails, surf, play games or shop. It is therefore necessary for parents to monitor internet usage and ensure that children are not visiting inappropriate sites. What’s more, it is important to know who your children interact with when they are online. Even though the internet is helpful because of the amount of information accessible, it is essential to monitor internet usage at all times. Start out by letting your children know what is acceptable and what is not. Talking to them about the dangers of the internet is your first step to monitor internet usage in your home. Additionally, your children will be aware of what they have access to and what they should avoid when online. Other ways to monitor internet usage in your home may include following steps.
Step 1
Allocate internet time usage. To effectively monitor internet usage, give your children a set amount of time to be online. Whether it’s for homework or just playing games, a certain timeframe should be set for being online.
Step 2
Be aware of the sites your child is visiting. Another way to monitor internet usage is to always know what sites your child is viewing. Be present as they do their research or shop online. Additionally, know who they are in contact with. There are many online villains which is why it is important to monitor internet usage. This is the only way to ensure your child stays away from harm.
Step 3
Have the computer somewhere visible. It is important to position the computer somewhere that is open and visible. This way you can monitor internet usage and see what is going on. Having the computer in a closed room may not be ideal. Your child may come across sites that have inappropriate content or images. If you can see what is going on at all times, then you can be able to monitor internet usage competently.
Step 4
Discuss what information is alright to divulge on the internet. It is of the essence to discuss internet safety with your children from the very beginning. If you are to properly monitor internet usage, it is vital that your children know what information they can share online. Personal details such as home address, telephone numbers, school, etc should be kept private. In fact, if anyone ask them for something that they think strange, they should let you know immediately. Many social media sites request for images. As a parent, you need to monitor internet images that your children may want to post.
Step 5
By using parental control settings, you can block sites that you do not want your children having access to. This will help you monitor internet usage by preventing content that may be shared by friends without your knowledge. You can come up with a password to keep him or her out of the internet when you are not available. This is a very effective way to monitor internet usage.
Tips
There are a number of other ways you can utilize to monitor internet usage such as uploading software to block viruses and malware. The best thing however is to make sure you keep open communication with your children about the internet and how to stay safe when online.
