ABC’s of Protecting Kids Online
Cultural lures are all around us. The smell of popcorn at the movie theatre, the new shoes in a store window, or a commercial advertising a miracle product are all attempts to get us to act, engage, and buy. The question is, will we?
What about our kids? Online entertainment is more than an attraction in the lives of our youth. It is a powerful force, drawing them into another world. Being online is a daily activity for the majority. While there are educational opportunities, music, and innocent entertainment options, there are also potential dangers and predators lurking behind screens that can potentially harm them. The lure is in their hands: the phone and the computer.
It is impossible to suggest that we remove the lure from their hands completely, but we must recognize and ACT against the potential dangers. The National Center for Missing and Exploitation Children states, "Online enticement involves an individual communicating with someone believed to be a child via the internet with the intent to commit a sexual offense or abduction. This type of victimization takes place across every platform, social media, messaging apps, and gaming platforms." Let's not let a stranger impact our kids.
The lure is real. What can you do?
Ask Probing Questions: Relationships with pre-teens and teenagers are undoubtedly complicated and often unpredictable. Please don't let the complexities of a teen deter you from communicating. When we pay attention to body language, making eye contact, and illicit conversation, we remain a part of their world. Ask questions. Have discussions. Since young people won't often take the first step in talking about what they may be encountering-its up to us as trusted adults to do just that.
Build Self-Worth: Self-worth is a powerful and critical component of a young person's life. Much of what they say, how they act and react is rooted in what they believe about themselves. Remind the young people in your life that they have an authentic identity that belongs only to them. Their abilities, talents, interests, and dreams are within them. The future they hold in their hands is full of possibilities!
Circumvent Loneliness: Feeling alone and being alone are ingredients for vulnerability. Help them connect to the activities they enjoy. As a former educator, I witnessed the unpredictable and often uncontrollable emotions of my students. The enormity of managing cultural, academic, social, physical, and emotional pressures can seem impossible. They can feel alone, SEEK a reprieve online-and the lure stares them in the face. That is when caring and safe adults should be engaging with them, not strangers.
ACTION STEPS:
- Engage in conversation daily.
- Ask questions.
- Pay attention to negative cues.
- Encourage participation in positive and personal growth opportunities.
- Act bravely. Act now.
Jenny Christiansen is a certified Life Coach, Speaker & Youth Advocate. She has spent 25 years of her life as an educator and school administrator. Having spent her life with children and teens, she knows what works and what destroys. Her passion is helping people others find their unique identity and move toward making an impact in the world.
Contact Jenny here: www.jennychristiansen.org
Owner/Editor - Chris Chmielewski