Guiding Your Child Through Digital Disturbances: A Parent's Response to Inappropriate Content Online
Navigating the digital world can be a daunting task, particularly for young learners who are just beginning to explore the vast resources available online. While the internet offers a wealth of knowledge and opportunities for our children, it also poses certain risks, one of which is exposure to inappropriate or disturbing content. As parents, it's natural to want to protect our children from such experiences. However, it's equally important to equip them with the skills to respond appropriately when they encounter such situations.
This step-by-step guide for parents on how to handle instances when their child reports seeing inappropriate or disturbing content online. The goal is not just to shield them from harm, but to empower them to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly.
Stay Calm and Listen: First, it's important to stay calm and thank your child for telling you about it. This can be a confusing or upsetting experience for them, and they need to know that they can trust you and that they've done the right thing by coming to you.
Discuss the Experience: Ask your child to tell you about what they saw, how they came across it, and how it made them feel. Make sure to keep the conversation non-judgmental and open, so your child feels comfortable talking to you about it.
Report the Content: If the content was seen on a social media platform or a specific website, report it to the platform or website administrators. Most sites have a mechanism for reporting inappropriate content. Reporting it can help prevent other children from seeing it.
Contact the College: Let your child's teacher or school administration know about the incident, especially if it happened using school technology or during school hours. They can provide additional support and take steps to reinforce internet safety lessons at school.
Revisit Internet Safety Rules: Use this as an opportunity to revisit internet safety rules with your child. Remind them about not clicking on links from unknown sources, the importance of using safe search tools, and why they should come to you if they encounter anything online that makes them uncomfortable.
Consider Additional Measures: Depending on the nature and source of the inappropriate content, you might want to consider implementing additional safety measures at home, such as content filters, parental controls, or stricter rules about when and where your child can use their devices.
Offer Reassurance and Support: Finally, ensure your child knows that it's not their fault for stumbling upon disturbing content. It can happen to anyone, and it's important they feel reassured and supported.
Always remember, the goal is not just to protect your child from harmful content, but also to equip them with the understanding and skills they need to navigate the digital world safely and responsibly.
Brad Tyrrell
Director of Technology