Internet safety ages 8-10

By the time children are 8 to 10 years old, they may be more interested in what older siblings are doing, but they also may begin to develop a sense of their own identity. Virtual worlds, online games, and online videos may be favorite pastimes, but social networking platforms can also come into play at this point. This is also the age parents may begin to introduce personal cell phones to their kids.

At this age, children are at a higher risk of communicating with online acquaintances and may be influenced by media personalities and images. When playing in virtual worlds, they may also begin to explore different identities and behaviors.

A few practices to consider implementing:

• Create a shared family email rather than letting them have their own account.
• If they want to start using social networks, have them manage a family page. This can help them learn and practice privacy and safety skills with guidance from you and older siblings.
• Preview all websites, games, and apps they wish to use.
• Familiarize yourself with parental control features on video game systems, tablets, smartphones, and computers.
• Talk with them about safe and ethical social networking: only adding people you know, for instance. You can also talk about treating people online with kindness and respect, and not adding apps without permission.
• Talk to them about their online friends and activities in the same way you would about their friends from school.