Start talking with your children about online safety when they are six or seven.
Experts suggest cyber safety discussions should start when children are six or seven years old. Here are some tips to help your children avoid online bullying.
- Don’t say anything online you wouldn’t say to someone’s face.
- Be nice and friendly.
- Use emoticons : ) so people know when you’re joking.
- Tell your mum or dad or another adult if someone sends you a mean message.
- Don’t reply to a bully. They like upsetting people and you can’t win against them.
- If a friend upsets you, remember it’s easy to accidentally sound hurtful online, because people can’t hear your voice and can’t always tell if you’re joking.
- Never give your real name, your address, your phone number or your email address to someone you meet online.
- If someone sends you a mean or embarrassing message about someone else, don’t forward it to your other friends. Don’t help bullies hurt other kids!
- Be a good friend. If one of your friends is being bullied online or face-to-face, tell an adult.
This article has been supplied by Schools A to Z.
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