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Mumsnet users talk online safety and cyberbullying with Kaspersky

253 replies

JustineBMumsnet · 04/09/2018 14:26

NOW CLOSED

Many children are now growing up with technology at their fingertips and social media often at the centre of their digital world, making it more important than ever to discuss online safety with children and be aware of the effects of cyberbullying. Kaspersky would like to hear about the ways you protect your children from bullying when they’re online.

Here’s what Kaspersky has to say: “Do you really know what your kids do online? Can you be sure they’re safe when connected? Kaspersky gives you new and better ways to keep your kids safe on PC, Mac and Mobile."

Do you have tips for talking about cyberbullying with your children? Do you utilise parental control technology so you know what’s going on in their digital world? If your child has experienced cyberbullying, what advice do you have for other parents?

Whatever your tips or experience, share this below to be entered into a prize draw where one Mumsnetter will win a £300 voucher for the store of their choice (from a list).

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

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Mumsnet users talk online safety and cyberbullying with Kaspersky
OP posts:
daniel1996 · 07/09/2018 19:27

My tips would be keep your laptop in sight, add password to your account and set up an account for a child with a password you both know, set your parental controls, and settings on your antivirus software to prevent any unwanted material. I have instilled my my children to talk to me about anything they see on-line, and if at school, tell their teacher and me). You cannot unsee anything nasty/wrong/or tasteless.

plusonefail · 07/09/2018 20:26

Cyber bullying really scares me. Bullying was soul destroying enough before here were all these different ways to get to people.

So far we have parental control on everything and no tech in bedrooms and we discuss CB but I don’t feel like it’s enough.

Flapdoodles · 08/09/2018 00:25

I speak to my children regularly about cyberbullying and online safety. Currently only DS has a mobile phone and he is very good at showing me any messages he has received but I do worry as he gets older he will want to share less.

My tip therefore would be to introduce the topic early - we started off talking about safety online in general ie are people who they really say they are, then progressed to bullying and posting identifying details online as soon as they were aware of the internet.

lolly2011 · 08/09/2018 08:55

I have explained to my boys how cyber bullying can affect them, I regularly check my sons technology and have age restricted my youngest viewing. My older son only adds people to his XBOX that he knows which I check. I think it is good to make them aware that not all people they talk to are necessarily friendly. If they are unsure they ask.

clairedunphy · 08/09/2018 13:08

Agree that it's a combination of technical measures and good communication. I leave the technical side largely up to DH as he works in the industry, but I really need to understand it better myself.

The communication element runs through your whole relationship with your child so needs working on all the time.

BookMeOnTheSudExpress · 08/09/2018 13:32

A combination of openly talking to them, and therefore trusting them, letting them know that they can (and should) have secrets from you, but that if they realise the secrets may in some way present a danger to them (even if "only" online) then they need to tell you, and a parent-child contract of sorts- dd is now 14 but I have all her social media passwords. I know that's not perfect, I know she could tell me those passwords while setting up accounts with others, but sometimes you do just have to trust your kids.

BellaVida · 08/09/2018 18:02

No one single measure can protect our children online. At school all of my DC do computing and are taught about the dangers of the internet, social media, cyber bullying etc.
At home be block all content according to the age of our youngest DC. Right now, 2 of them are sitting in the corner of the room playing Roblox- I can see and hear everything that is going on.
Only my eldest has an internet enabled phone, but again, it is linked to my DH account and we are on his Instagram so we can see exactly what is posted. That was one of the conditions of getting it!
One of my DC has experienced cyber bullying by other children in his year at school. Both times the school took it very seriously and it resulted in the ringleaders being suspended. Now he knows not to respond, just to screenshot, block and report.
We can't protect them indefinitely, but I think you have to be sensible in terms of parental access, monitoring and ensuring your children are old enough, knowledgeable enough and mature enough to deal with the responsibility and any fallout.
The security software is just a very small part of the issue.

RhubarbAndCustards · 08/09/2018 18:45

My DD is a bit young (7) but we are already starting to talk about people not being who they might seem. She is aware of social media. We have parental controls on our iPad which she accesses for YouTube and we are always aware of what she is watching.

scaevola · 08/09/2018 18:50

I don't use parental control software and never have. I think it gives a false sense of security.

I had DC online only in shared areas of the house until well into their teens. I lectured on internet safety. I attended events and read policies at their schools about cyber security. I made the ownership of internet connected tech dependent on sharing all passwords with me until age 16.

And I talked to them. Lots.

scaevola · 08/09/2018 18:52

Oh, and all that started in primary school. Leaving it to secondary is riskily late.

AR2012 · 09/09/2018 07:52

Talking to them from a young age so trust in these matters to be disclosed. After that its trying to action on it i.e report to the school or to the social media platform so the complaint is filed and can be pursued.

Emilygage1982 · 09/09/2018 08:21

Don’t let them use social media without safety talks first. The nspcc website has useful information

frances93 · 09/09/2018 08:33

Encouraging them to talk openly and honestly about anything, making them aware of what can happen and ensuring them that no matter what the issue we can resolve it as long as they let me know

SSCRASE123 · 09/09/2018 08:39

I won't let my kids have social media accounts until I really know they are old enough and mature enough to understand the pitfalls of them. I will insist on having access when I ask but I'm confident that if anything happens my two will tell us so we can intervene if necessary. The whole online world concerns me enormously for my children.

glenka · 09/09/2018 08:43

They are a bit young at the moment but when they are old enough we will explain all about it to them.

Lheath · 09/09/2018 08:46

My children are currently too young but I would talk to them about cyber bullying when they are old enough. I would probably use parental controls too.

Parentingsortof · 09/09/2018 08:50

i try to have open conversations with my children about social media and encourage them to talk about anything that they see online that makes them feel uncomfortable

happysouls · 09/09/2018 08:50

Make sure you know what they're doing! Using computers in the lounge rather than the bedroom makes it easier to keep an eye out! Also talking about the risks and how situations can turn out is good. If they can alert you the moment anything out of place happens you can help them deal with it. Open good communications!

footdust · 09/09/2018 08:53

Have the PC or laptop in the kitchen or living room when they are young, so you can always see what they are doing

Spices001 · 09/09/2018 09:13

We’ve spoken a lot about this! We don’t entertain social media & she sticks to games that she can play with friends but no strangers

sheilads105 · 09/09/2018 09:16

I talk to them frequently and get them to talk through what could happen online. Put them through a role play scenario to get them to think it through. We have the computer in a family room to keep an eye on activity.

QueenOfPharts · 09/09/2018 09:18

My dcs are younger so its not as much of an issue just yet. My dd has a v safe tablet designed for kids with inbuilt parental controls. If my dd wants to watch you tube we do it together. I am worried about the future when its less in my control. At the moment I set a good example by being sensible on social media by setting tight privacy settings and generally not posting too much personal stuff or pics of the dc. I agree with a pp some adults need to be more savvy on social media and could do with lessons.

barbsbarbs · 09/09/2018 09:34

yes I have advised that if she feels uncomfortable about anything to tell me and we will work it out together. Ive also said that she is allowed to block however she wants if a person or situation is making her feel bad or uncomfortable.

007hel · 09/09/2018 09:35

Cyber bullying and being safe online worries me, I regularly check my children's devices and talk to them about keeping safe. I let them know if they're not sure about something or if they're worried about something to talk to me and we can work it out

janeyf1 · 09/09/2018 09:40

I have broached the subject because my little one is sensitive and often gets upset by comments she receives. I try to urge her to not pay any attention to jealous remarks and to spend less time on the ipad.