As a parent, your child’s safety is probably the most important thing. As our society becomes more digital, and technology becomes more and more important in our lives, it’s important to teach your child the important principles of online dating safety staying safe while online dating ranges from avoiding conversations with strangers to being aware and cautious of potential viruses and scams.
Should I allow internet use for online dating?
Some parents want to eliminate online dating, which can be a temptation for their children. However, keep in mind that because they are so tricky for kids, it may be better to teach them how to use them in a controlled and monitored environment rather than completely shielding them from them.
The reality is that your kids will be exposed to online dating at some point, and when that moment comes, they will ideally understand how and why to use it as a tool. If they don’t have the skills online, they could fall into the traps that come with a lack of computer skills. Here are some ways to teach your kids how to stay safe while online dating:
Lead by example
We all tend to spend a lot of time browsing social media, shopping online, playing video games, or other online dating pleasures. If you want your online dating partner to use the internet more responsibly, you must first model what that looks like through your behavior.
Stranger Danger
The surprising thing about online dating is exactly how it can be frightening for parents of users who access online dating. A key concept to remember when it comes to online dating safety is stranger danger. This is probably one of the most common lessons taught from an early age: “Don’t talk to strangers.” What makes this phrase so important when it comes to online dating safety is the fact that you can talk to anyone, anywhere on the Internet.
As adults, we often worry about how to safely talk to strangers online when entering our credit card information for a purchase, entering a delivery address, or reciting our banking information to a customer service representative. When it comes to online dating, the golden rule is to never talk to strangers, whether you’re dating online or in person. Unlike adults, there is no compelling reason to break the rule of stranger danger.
