Do you think it’s crazy how connected children are to the internet? Gone are the days of playing outside until the street lamps came on or waiting for the summer to come to spend every waking second outside. Kids now only want to be online. It’s also crazy to think children now get their first phone between the ages of 9 and 11. Do they know about digital footprints between the ages of 9 and 11? No. Read on for five tips for teaching them.
Start Early and Simplify Concepts
The concept of a digital footprint can be abstract for young minds. It’s essential to start early and keep explanations simple. The first thing you can teach them is about removing their data – opting out, removing your data from Google search results, using anti-tracking and privacy tools, etc.
Explain that online actions leave traces that others can follow. Discuss how every website visit, social media post, and online interaction creates their digital trail. This early education helps children understand that their actions online have consequences.
You can tailor how you teach them depending on their age, but we’re aiming these suggestions at younger children.
Highlight the Permanence of Online Actions
Kids have to understand things shared online have a lasting impact. And from the minute they’re connected to the internet and share their data, the risk grows. You can use real-life examples that are age-appropriate to show how online information can stick around.
Explain scenarios where a seemingly innocent post or photo can become problematic, and teach them the concept of “think before you click.” It’ll create a sense of caution and responsibility about what they share on the internet.
Teach Privacy Settings and Account Management
You can teach your children to manage privacy settings on their favourite social media and gaming platforms. Guide them through the various settings to control who sees their profiles and posts, emphasizing the importance of limiting visibility to protect their personal information.
Here are some streamlined steps for your discussions:
- Understanding Privacy Settings: Explain the basics of privacy settings and the implications of public vs. private profiles. Your children’s profile should be as private as possible.
- Safe Sharing Practices: Stress the importance of being cautious about what they share online, especially personal details like location or contact information.
- Routine Checks: Establish a routine to regularly review and adjust privacy settings together.
- Engaging Responsibly: Encourage thoughtful online interactions, reminding them to consider the long-term impact of what they post and how they engage with others.
- Security Measures: Discuss the necessity of strong passwords and, where possible, use two-factor authentication to enhance account security. In 2022, over 24 billion passwords were exposed by hackers.
This approach ensures they understand the essential aspects of digital privacy and are better equipped to use their online environments safely.
Discuss the Impact on Future Opportunities
Understanding the long-term impact of their digital footprints becomes essential as they get older.
Teach them that their online activities can be reviewed by colleges, potential employers, and future partners. They won’t understand how much people get an opinion of someone online.
These are the things you can highlight to them:
- Educational Opportunities: Explain how university admissions officers sometimes review applicants’ social media to understand their character and suitability.
- Employment Prospects: Discuss how many companies perform digital background checks before making hiring decisions. They look for professionalism and a positive personal brand.
- Personal Relationships: Highlight that relationships often start with online interactions, where impressions are formed based on what they can see on a profile page.
- Scholarship Considerations: Some organizations consider online behaviour when awarding scholarships. They look for candidates who positively contribute to their communities.
This conversation helps children understand that their digital footprint is like a resume. Their online behaviour can influence their future opportunities.
Encourage Critical Thinking
A bit of critical thinking can go a long way. You can do this by encouraging children to look at the impact of their online posts. Teach them to reflect on whether their content could be misinterpreted or cause harm. You could also talk to them about the consequences of their digital actions.
Encourage them to adopt a personal policy of posting thoughtfully, promoting kindness, and contributing positively to online communities.
Keeping your children safe online is essential – kids are now connected to the internet more than ever. And they’re only connected more than ever because we allow them to be. But if they understand the principles of their digital footprint and what it means, they can have a healthier attitude towards their online data.
