Kids from 5 to 7 years old have knowledge on the basic operations of the computer like manipulating the mouse, using the keyboard and turning the computer on and off. However, the internet may be complicated to them so they are very dependent on adults to find web sites and explain the information given online. They have little capacity to use the internet alone.
Since they can't discern what is real from fictional, they are vulnerable to believing everything they see online as true. They can accidentally enter websites that aren't proper to their age. They may not exactly understand the text from websites, but they clearly understand the violent images. Since they are trusting in older people, they can easily be persuaded to provide personal information through instant messaging, surveys, or similar forms.
These vulnerabilities should be protected at all times. Here are the things you should do to ensure the safety of your kids while using the internet:
?Never leave your kids alone in front of the computer. Always sit with them whenever they use the internet.
?Have a list of friendly websites saved on your personal bookmark so that you can easily access his favorite sites. Teach your kids how to direct the mouse to it.
?Enable the security settings of search engines.
?Keep the internet-connected computer where you can see it.
?Use filtering devices such as firewalls or setup a security system wherein the forbidden sites can't be opened (intentionally or accidentally).
?Teach your kids the importance of honestly and privacy. Let your kids know that it is okay to discuss with you their internet experience or whenever they encounter threat or felt fear online. At the same time, teach them to hide personal information from strangers.
?Teach your kids not to click on everything they see online.
?Use popup blockers or disable Java from your computer to make sure that your kids can't encounter malicious pop-ups.
