The Cyber Defense eMagazine November Edition for 2023

Educate: It’s never too early to teach about internet safety, so introduce healthy concepts like asking for
permission, and seeking support.
Kindergarten: 5 - 6 yrs
Although a lot of the advice given in the previous step is relevant to this age group, when a child steps
up to kindergarten, they may find more opportunities for independence and interaction with older peers.
Continue supervision: You will likely want to alter parental controls, potentially allowing this age group
to access the internet for educational purposes with parental controls in place. Make sure to continue
close supervision and education about healthy online safety habits.
Be available for support: The internet can be fun and exciting, but there can sometimes be scary or
upsetting things out there. Encourage your children to put down their device and come to a trusted adult
if they encounter anything that makes them feel uncomfortable.
Elementary School: 6 - 11 yrs
As kids start becoming more independent, their use of devices and the internet will increase. Their online
activities may change, including more communication with friends and peers, and venturing into the world
of social media and video-sharing platforms.
Maintain supervision: Kids at this age will be wishing for more autonomy, but it’s still important to
monitor their activity.
Teach safe browsing: Explain the basics of safe internet usage so that they know the risks to look out
for.
Online etiquette: Educate them about being kind and respectful to others online, and never sharing
personal information, especially any that could allude to identity and location.
Parental controls: Although some parental functions could start to be reduced, it’s a good idea to keep
reviewing the current controls with open and honest discussions.
Middle School: 11 - 14 yrs
Transitioning to middle school is an important milestone in a child's journey. It marks moving up to
adolescence where they will be spending a significant amount of time online and interacting with peers.
Privacy settings: Encourage kids to be mindful about what they share and post online. Encourage
privacy settings on social media platforms and other accounts.
Cyberbullying: Keep an eye out for signs of cyberbullying. Educate your child on the dangers to look
out for and the potential effects it can have on themselves and others. Reiterate that they never have to
Cyber Defense eMagazine – November 2023 Edition 33
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