Internet Safety
Technology has become central to our children’s lives, shaping their learning as well as their play. However, with learning opportunities also comes the potential for our children to access dangerous material. The internet has made pornography easily accessible, making it easy to hide and difficult to stop. Pornography is available to youth and adults 24/7 through the internet, cell phones, iPads, and game consoles. Depending on previous conversations you have had with your child, their understanding of sex and pornography may be limited, but whether exposure was deliberate or accidental kids will feel a mixture of confusion and curiosity.
As a parent in the digital age, it can be hard to keep up with your child and their technology use. We have provided some helpful resources to best inform you, as a parent or caregiver, on how to best protect your child against the dangers of technology. These resources are most beneficial when paired with good communication. If you don’t want your child to visit unsafe sites, talk to them about your concerns, acknowledging that the subject is uncomfortable but necessary to talk about.
Here are some helpful talking points:
No one should make you look at pictures or movies that make you feel uncomfortable
We should not take pictures of others or ourselves when we are not fully dressed
What would you do if you saw these types of things? (Form a plan: look away, find a trusted adult, tell a parent)
Curiosity about bodies and sex is normal, but I would like for you to come to me to talk about these things