Our big annual "what are those kids doing online?" study, or as most people know it, the Norton Online Living Report came out a few months ago. When the data for the United Kingdom was released, Symantec also provided some helpful hints from renowned etiquette mavens, Debrett's. The advice holds up beautifully for online families worldwide so I'd like to share it with you.
Jo Bryant, etiquette advisor for Debrett's, said, "The Internet has changed how we live today, and how families and friends interact. Children do not know a world without computers, so parents must make the effort to keep up with and understand modern technology." You said it sister! Just because you think your kids know more about technology than you do is no excuse to just sit out this big parenting moment. Get involved in your child's online life!
Here are some Debrett's tips just for Parents:
1. Keep up to date with technology and communicate with your children. (sounds like my "The Talk"). Learn their lingo (but don't try to use it too often!) and ask them questions. It is important to keep up with them, as well as with technology.
2. Discuss with your children which websites they want to visit. Be open with them and make reasoned decisions together.
3. Set clear rules about online communication, illegal downloading and cyberbullying. It is important that trust is established between you and your child.
4. Remember your manners. Just because you are online, there is no need to speak to your children or anyone else differently.
5. Always double-check what you have written. Remember, your grammar, spelling and tone matter just as much on screen as they do on paper.
6. Don't conduct your entire life online. Birthday cards, telephone calls and face-to-face conversations are still important.
7. Remember that children may come across inappropriate content on the Internet by accident. When this happens, always try to explain what they have seen and to support them, rather than immediately reprimanding them.
Debrett's tips for Children:
1. Make sure you don't say anything online that you might regret. Sometimes, it's easy to forget your manners when you ‘re not talking to someone face-to-face.
2. Spelling and grammar are important. Read through what you've written and remember to do a spell-check before hitting send.
3. Always keep your personal information safe - all of it! Never give your real name, address, phone number, the name of your school or a picture of yourself to anyone online.
4. Tell your parents or a trusted adult about everything you see on the Internet, and if anything has made you feel uncomfortable. Remember, not everything you see and hear on the Internet is ‘true' or even ‘normal.'
5. Listen to your parents and include them when you are online. It can be fun to look at websites together, and they can learn from you.
6. Listen to your parents and respect any rules. Instead of going behind their backs, try to show them or explain why you enjoy certain websites.