Family Online Safety

 

 

Digital Citizenship

 

Safety

Another important practice is protecting personal information and privacy. Students should create strong, unique passwords and understand the importance of keeping their personal information private. This includes being cautious about sharing details like their location, contact information, and other sensitive data. Students should understand the risks of oversharing and the importance of using privacy settings on social media and other online platforms.

Media Literacy

Media literacy involves the ability to evaluate the information you encounter online, distinguish between credible sources and misinformation, and understand the ethical use of digital content. This includes respecting copyright laws, citing sources properly, and recognizing the value of original content. By promoting these practices, we can help students become responsible digital citizens who can navigate the online world safely and effectively.

Etiquette

Good digital citizenship means communicating kindly and respectfully with others online. This includes understanding the impact of your words and actions online, avoiding cyberbullying, and knowing how to respond to negative behavior. Encouraging students to think before they post and to be empathetic online helps create a positive digital environment.


 

How can I navigate online safety with my child?

We've curated some resources below to help you with online safety at home.


 

Microsoft

Windows PCs, Android phones, Xbox



Microsoft Family Safety is a comprehensive platform designed to help families create healthy digital habits and ensure the safety of their loved ones. One of its key features is screen time management, which allows parents to set limits on how long their children can use devices, apps, and games across Windows, Xbox, and Android platforms. This feature helps in promoting balanced screen time and encourages kids to engage in other activities. Additionally, parents can receive requests for more screen time and decide whether to grant them based on their family’s needs12.

Another significant feature is content filtering, which helps create a safer online environment for children. Parents can set boundaries to block inappropriate websites, apps, and games, ensuring that kids only access age-appropriate content. This feature works across Microsoft Edge on Windows, Xbox, and Android, providing a consistent and secure browsing experience. Parents can also receive notifications when their children attempt to access restricted content, allowing them to stay informed and take necessary actions12.

The app also includes location sharing and driving safety features, which provide peace of mind by allowing family members to share their locations and driving habits. With location sharing, parents can see where their children are in real-time, ensuring they are safe and where they are supposed to be. The driving safety feature offers insights into driving behavior, such as speed, hard braking, and phone usage while driving, helping families promote safer driving habits. These features, combined with activity summaries and family calendar integration, make Microsoft Family Safety a robust tool for managing and protecting family well-being.


 

Google

Android phones, Android Tablets



Google Family Link is a versatile platform designed to help parents manage their children’s digital activities and ensure their online safety. One of its primary features is screen time management, which allows parents to set daily limits on device usage and establish bedtime restrictions. This helps children develop healthy digital habits by balancing screen time with other activities. Parents can also view detailed activity reports to understand how their children are spending time on their devices.

Another key feature is content filtering and app management. Family Link enables parents to approve or block apps that their children want to download from the Google Play Store. Additionally, it provides options to filter web content, ensuring that children only access age-appropriate websites. Parents can also manage permissions for apps and websites, making it easier to control what their children can see and do online.

The app also includes location tracking and notifications, which help parents stay connected with their children. With location tracking, parents can see their children’s real-time location on a map, providing peace of mind when they are on the go. Family Link also sends notifications when children arrive at or leave specific locations, and parents can ring their children’s devices to locate them if needed. These features, combined with account management tools, make Google Family Link a comprehensive solution for managing family digital safety.


 

Apple

iPhones, iPads, Mac



Apple’s parental controls, integrated into iOS and iPadOS, offer a robust suite of features designed to help parents manage their children’s device usage and ensure a safe digital environment. One of the core features is screen time, which allows parents to set daily limits on app usage, schedule downtime, and view detailed reports on how much time their children spend on their devices. This helps in promoting balanced screen time and encourages children to engage in other activities.

Another significant feature is content & privacy restrictions, which enables parents to block or limit specific apps and features on their child’s device. This includes restricting explicit content, preventing in-app purchases, and managing app installations. Parents can also control access to certain websites and filter web content to ensure that children only access age-appropriate material. These settings help create a safer online experience for children.

Additionally, Apple’s parental controls include communication limits, which allow parents to manage who their children can communicate with throughout the day and during downtime. This feature is particularly useful for ensuring that children are only interacting with trusted contacts. Parents can also use Family Sharing to monitor and approve purchases, share subscriptions, and keep track of their children’s locations. These comprehensive tools make it easier for parents to guide their children’s digital habits and ensure their safety.