Online Family Resources
Where to start?
Digital safety is strongest when parents and children approach it as a team.
Establishing your family's media values with your children is one of the most important things you can do. Children are curious about what the boundaries are for their internet access. By establishing the boundaries together, you will achieve greater success. (Ref: Defend Young Minds)
3 steps to help you get started:
Create a Family Technology Agreement
Consider setting filters and exploring parental controls
Explore the resources below to learn how to create a healthy digital lifestyle at home, including:
Explore Parental Controls
Take a look through Commonsense Media's "Parent's Ultimate Guide to Parental Controls." Parental controls can be applied to individual apps, devices and home networks. Subscription services like Bark, Qustodio and NetNanny will allow you to filter content and monitor all of your child's devices.
Google Safe Search
This feature is active for all students when they are signed into their ISM Google Account
Parental Controls
Healthy Digital Lifestyle
Agree boundaries
Be clear what your child can and can’t do online – where they can use the internet, how much time they can spend online, the sites they can visit and the type of information they can share. Agree with your child when they can have a mobile phone or tablet.
Explore together
The best way to find out what your child is doing online is to ask them to tell you about what they do and what sites they like to visit. If they’re happy to, ask them to show you. Talk to them about being a good friend online.
Put yourself in control
Install parental controls on your home broadband and any internet-enabled devices. Explore Common Sense Media's, Parents' Ultimate Guide to Parental Controls for information on types of parental controls available.
Stay involved
Encourage them to use their tech devices in a communal area like the lounge or kitchen so you can keep an eye on how they’re using the internet and also share in their enjoyment.
Talk to siblings
It’s also a good idea to talk to any older children about what they’re doing online and what they show to younger children. Encourage them to be responsible and help keep their younger siblings safe.
Search safely
Use safe search engines such as Kiddle, Swiggle or Kids-search. You can save time by adding these to your ‘Favourites’. Safe search settings can also be activated on Google and other search engines, as well as YouTube.
Check if it’s suitable
The age ratings that come with games, apps, films and social networks are a good guide to whether they’re suitable for your child. For example, the minimum age limit is 13 for several social networking sites, including Facebook and Instagram. Use the reviews and comments from commonsensemedia.org to guide your decision on its suitability for your family.
Get familiar with social media safety
Social media sites are a huge favourite with children, allowing them to stay in touch with friends over chat, meet new people with similar interests, and share photos and videos. Watch this short video for tips on better understanding social media with your child, 'The Problem with Parents, Kids, and Social Media.'
This checklist was adapted from: Online safety age guide for parents of school children
Online Family Resources
Common Sense Media Grades K - 8 Parent Pack
5 Questions to Ask Before You Get Your Kid a Phone9 Social Media Red Flags Parents Should Know AboutApps to Help Keep Track of What Your Kids Are Doing OnlineEasy, Free Browser Hacks to Make the Internet Safer for Your KidHow Do I Keep My Kid Safe on the InternetStrategies for Getting Kids off DevicesWhat Can I Tell My Kid to Do if He or She Is Being Cyberbullied?A Parent's Ultimate Guide to YouTubeAsk for support from our Tech Coordinators
You can book an appointment with either of our Educational Technology Coordinators. No question is too small or too big, together we will create the best learning environment for your child.
Polly von Bodungen vonbodungenp@ismanila.org for Elementary School Cary Hart hartc@ismanila.org for Middle School Hernan Alar alarh@ismanila.org for High School
All resources on parentconnect website are collated for your consideration. Please use your own judgement and research to evaluate if they are suitable for your family.