4 Simple Tips to Help All Kids Be Internet Smart With Their First Cell Phones #SaferInternetDay

This post was written for Mom It Forward Influencer Network for their #SaferInternetDay #BeInternetAwesome 2019 Blog Tour Campaign. However, all opinions are solely my own. #SaferInternetDay #BeInternetAwesome #Sponsored

Like it or not, my oldest is on her way to double digits. That’s right; she will be ten years old in July. Yesterday, she attended her first ever meeting at school for discussing puberty, growing up and all the many changes that occur during this time.

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That said, one of the topics with her getting older up for debate is getting her first cell phone for her. See she is indeed getting older and cell phones with her generation are a must-have.  However, I am in a bit of denial over all of this in all honesty. But as much as I am, I know I need to accept it.

Even though she has had an iPad in recent years and an email address, I have monitored both. Her iPad is still very much under my iCloud account. Plus, her email was set up by me and pretty much under my jurisdiction, as well.

But with a cell phone, she would need her accounts separate from mine. This day and age find the internet possibly being an exciting world for my daughter’s generation. But it also is an overwhelming and scary place if not used properly.

Therefore, it is up to my husband and myself, as her parents, to ready her for using her cell phone and be smart while using it. I mean we are in this “Together for a better internet.” Plus, perfect timing as today (2/5/2019) happens to be Safer Internet Day. 

But how can we do this?

See we are Coming Together for a Better Internet using Be Internet Awesome first and foremost. So read on how we can further discuss, teach Internet Safety, and help our kids be ready to use their first cell phones.

4 Simple Tips to Help All Kids Be Internet Smart When Using Their First Cell Phones

1. Be Positive, Respectful & Kindness Rules

Just like in real life, be the same online to others. Always remember to treat others even online they way you’d like to be treated. Also, think before you act, such as when you post or respond to others. Therefore, be an upstander, who doesn’t get involved in bad behavior and stands up for kindness. Because kindness rules!

Like you would do IRL, online remember to be positive, not negative. Plus, if you see negative behavior online stay away from it. Also, don’t be afraid to speak up if you do encounter negativity or scary behavior online. Therefore, talk to either a parent, teacher or even principal at the school.

2. Always Protect Yourself

Like you were taught when you were little about Stranger Danger, keep this in mind even online. Just like you wouldn’t talk to a stranger IRL, the same rules apply online. Therefore, don’t speak to or associate with a stranger or someone you don’t know IRL online.

Also, protect yourself with a smart or strong password(s). So, use a password that someone else couldn’t easily guess. Therefore, try not to use favorites or birthdays, or even social security numbers.

3. Don’t Ever Assume & Be Alert Online

Again online can be a minefield for those who don’t know how to use it. Therefore, make sure always to use secure sites that start with https:// as these sites indeed have a secure connection.

Plus, if it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Therefore, don’t fall for the many scams that are out there on the internet. So, never download anything online as it may contain malware that could infect your device. Again these types of downloads are mostly scams.

Moreover, if you are not sure, then always discuss with your parents. OR even if you think god forbid you fell for a scam don’t be afraid to tell your parents. 

4. When in Doubt Play the Game

Now that you have discussed above in tips #1-3 the many ways to be smart and Internet Safe play the game HERE to make sure you are indeed ready. 

Now, that we have discussed in depth how to ready kids for their first cell phone and internet safety, I hope you and your kids are prepared for a safer internet.

For more family Internet Safety tips, check this site out, as well.

Is your kid ready for their first cell phone?

Are they Internet Safety ready?

Now, share with us in the comments.