Digital Identity is an equally important concept as of real identity. Taking up with the definition, digital identity refers to the self-expression a person leaves over the digital world through online postings, photos, pages they like etc. This sheds light on the key components that build up the identity in the digital world. These components not just build up the identity, but puts it down too. The dwellers of the digital world are very well aware of the perks and the perils associated with the digital identity, yet the new joiners such as your kids, are always blind at it. Being a parent, it is your duty to manage your child’s digital identity as you help them build their real identity. But how can you manage that?
Here are 6 working tips that can help you manage your child’s digital identity.
Familiarize Yourself With The Trending Sites:
You can not do anything until or unless you know what is alluring and dangerous online. Thus the first step to manage your child’s digital identity is to get yourself familiarized with the trends, hypes and the quality of platforms popular among teens and preteens. Research about those platforms, see the content published there and then weigh the probabilities of your child’s participation there. Think about the productivity and other perks except entertainment if you find any. Join the healthy, trendy sites before your kid so that you can keep tabs on what your kids get along there.
Prepare Guidelines For Them:
Before they go online, sit with your child and prepare a comprehensive list of Dos and Don’ts for them. Tell them what is ethical in the digital world and what is not along with the ideas of how they can keep themselves safe. Help them create strong passwords, set appropriate pictures and so on.
Help Them Save Their Personal Information:
Teach them when to reveal their identity online and when not. Many a times kids transfer excessive personal information such as their home address, personal phone number and their private pictures on social media, which can be dangerous for them as online predators are on the lookout for such information. They can abuse their information to stalk, harass, cyber bully or even kidnap them! It is really important for your teens understand this.
Explain The Risks:
Inculcate the sense of responsibility in your child by explaining them the risks attached to the cyberlife. Share the unpleasant stories of cyberbulling, sextortion, hacking, etc. to make them realize what is so horrifying in the digital world. You can tell them the six unforgettable incidents of cyberbullying. There are many others that can help you convey your message.
Keep A Check On Their Activities:
Although you have explained everything to your kid beforehand, it is very important to keep a check on their activities. But how can you do that? Don’t spy on them. Use parental control apps such as FamilyTime to monitor:
- Internet usage with the date and time stamps.
- Most visited sites.
- Bookmarks, favorites and web-history.
- View the complete list of installed social apps.
Want to give this app a try? Download it today from iTunes, Google Play!
Keep Communication Lines Open:
The key to have a substantial attachment with your child is to be a friend with them and hold all your communication lines open so that they can always come to you for consultancy. Don’t dictate! Help your kids in finding the best options. You as a parent should only give them the choices and tell them the consequences of picking up any of the few. This will help them choose what is good in their favor and ease your parenting chore.
