Q. My kids are spending the summer playing on the internet. Identity theft is rampant even for kids; are there other fraud and safety concerns?
A. Great question and you are wise to know what your kids are doing online. Surely as children need summer reminders about sunburn and water safety, these days online security is equally important. The extra leisure time for kids usually translates to extra Internet time. June is Internet Safety Month and a good time to think about our children’s online safety and security.
Better Business Bureau has the following advice for parents who want their children’s digital presence to be a safe one. It is vital that parents make it a practice to become familiar with what their children are up to when they are using their digital devices. Familiarize yourself with these:
* Apps – Know which ones your kids are using. Be sure they have come from reputable app stores and examine them to see what their privacy disclosures and settings are. If they share your child’s location with friends and family, be sure that only the right people have access to that location information.
* Games – Check out the games your children are playing. Look up their ratings and reviews to verify that they are appropriate for your child’s age. Play the games with your children to better understand them. Ratings are available at the website for The Entertainment Software Rating Board. Reviews of games are found at Common Sense Media. When a game played online allows chat with other players, be sure your kids are careful about the information they disclose.
* Cyber bullying and other threats – Social media, instant messaging, texts and emails are most often the platforms for cyber bullying. Be sure your child understands that they should let you know of any instance when someone is mean or threatening to them online.
Does your child understand the permanent nature of online postings? Anything put up online could come back on them in the future. Make it a practice to approve every picture your child posts.
Children can be alarmingly trusting. They may have been told not to talk to strangers but let them know that a stranger could be posing as a friend or relative in the digital world. You should have your child’s passwords so you can keep tabs on who their friends are and what they are sharing with them.
The continuing and almost epidemic problem of online ID theft makes it mandatory that your child not share personal or family information. Explain to them that they should avoid unsolicited emails and texts due to the danger of viruses and malware. Keep their virus software up to date as well as their operating system. Tell them to never share passwords with anyone except their parents. It should be their habit to get your permission before downloading or purchasing anything on the Internet.
Watch out for pornography. A child can easily come across it. The website SafeKids.com has assistance for parents who find their child has been viewing porn online.
Advertisers are tracking your children online. View a free online guide that explains privacy issues and other threats for children online by searching for The Better Business Bureau’s Children’s Advertising Review Unit (CARU).
If you have questions or concerns about keeping your children safe online as summer begins, contact your Better Business Bureau at 423-266-6144 or visit our website at www.bbb.org.
Jim Winsett is president of the Better Business Bureau in Chattanooga.