4 Simple Ways To Protect Your Kids’ Data Online

Today’s parents are in a unique situation: they can remember enjoying their childhoods and teenage years in a world that wasn’t dominated by social media and the internet, but they’re raising their kids in a world that now very much is.

Many of us are facing situations that are difficult to navigate. While we’d all rather our kids didn’t use the internet at all (we’ve all heard the horror stories, after all), banning them from going online simply wouldn’t be fair. The online world is now so interwoven with the real one that a child with no internet access really would be missing out. 

So the best we can do is keep our kids as safe as possible online, and a big part of that comes down to protecting their data. Here, we’re outlining some of the steps you should absolutely be taking to keep your child’s data safe when they’re using websites and social media.

Use A Dedicated Child-Friendly Email Address For App Signups

Rather than giving your child their own personal email address to sign up for apps and websites, create an email that you have access to. That means you don’t have to worry about them receiving (and possibly acting on) marketing copy, or spam mail if the address gets into the wrong hands. 

It also means you can monitor all the sites they’re signing up for using the email address, and you can intervene if necessary. 

Get A Non-VoIP Temporary Number For SMS Verifications

If your child needs to enter a phone number for verification when signing up for an account, it’s understandable if you don’t want to share their own real number. 

An alternative solution (that doesn’t involve having to sacrifice your own number to more marketing and possible spam messages) is to use a non-VoIP number. Services like https://www.smspool.net/ make this not just possible, but easy. You can simply buy a number, use it to receive the SMS code online, enter the code, and complete the signup process—all without having to use your own number. 

Don’t Use Real Names and Birthdates on Online Accounts

There’s no reason why your child should have to enter their full, real name and birthday when they’re creating accounts online. If a website asks for this information, give your child a nickname, shorten their surname, and make up a random birthday. 

This data will make your child much more identifiable online if it’s correct, so it’s best to keep things vague or simply enter incorrect details to stay on the safe side. 

Set Up Parental Controls When Necessary

Finally, there’s a bit of a debate about whether setting up parental controls is the acceptable thing to do, with some thinking it’s an invasion of a child’s privacy. 

But if you do decide that this is something you want to do, you’ll need to use the platform’s built-in features or download an app like Google Family Link. This is a good option for younger kids, who may not understand the dangers of the internet and will fall for scams more easily. 

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Becky

Meet the award-nominated UK lifestyle blogger behind Spirited Puddle Jumper – a mum of three living in South East London! Becky shares the real ups and downs of family life, parenting tips, and lifestyle inspiration, proving that being a mum doesn’t mean you stop being fun or having other interests! Follow along for honest insights into UK family life and opinions on a whole range of topics, from travel and food, to beauty reviews, home and DIY, business and health and wellness.