NCC writes about Facebook guidelines for parents |08 January 2016

Children have grown up with the internet, cell phones and text messaging. Most don’t distinguish between being online or off. New technology has always been a part of their lives.Over the past few years , NCC have alerted parents about  protection measures  and safety challenges for children who are frequently  online and parents are  frequently phoning the  NCC toask at what age should they allow their kids to go on Facebook?

Commonsense dictates that good parenting is part trust, part rule maker, and part rule enforcer.  As parents, not only do we need to figure out what rules need to be made between the child and parent, but between the siblings as well. And then figure out what the potential consequences are.

First thing then is “talking  about it” -Discussing  all the possible scenarios of having the whole family  on Facebook and knowing that the whole family dirty linen could someday be washed publicly  online and if that is not enough  your kid’s Facebook can and will likely be checked by prospective universities and employers too in a near future .Most parents knows  about online predators and social bullies  but as social networks keeps expanding and evolving , sometimes it can be really hard to keep up with the latest cool thing or the social threat . This is why it is imperative for parents and kids to talk about some common ground rules before allowing usage.

Parents don’t need to be social media experts in order to ask questions and begin an on-going dialogue with their children . Have conversations about safety and technology early and often, in the same way that you talk to your kids about being safe at school, in the car, or playing sports.

One of the best ways to begin a conversation is to ask your children why services like Facebook are important to them.Talk  to them about their friends on Facebook  and ask them if they are comfortable in letting you know if they ever have a problem on line . You might also ask them to show you how to set up your own Facebook timeline, so you can see what it’s all about. Discuss what’s appropriate information to share online—and what isn’t. Ask them about privacy settings, and suggest that you go over them together, regularly.

Make sure your children  know where to go for support if someone ever harasses them. Help them understand how to make responsible and safe choices about what they post—because anything they put online can be misinterpreted or taken out of context.It’s also important to talk about the Golden Rule: treating others the way you want to be treated. This also applies to using new technologies.

Set ground rules, and enforce them.

To save yourselves a lot of headaches and to avoid Facebook-related conversations that include excuses like, “I didn’t know,” “I forgot,” and “You never said that,” the ground rules have to written and put in a place where everyone can see .print out a contract which they have to sign. Include clauses about you always having their password, limiting Internet uses to visible areas in the house and stating your parental right to confiscate or limit its use without warning.

Tips for Parents

1.    It can be tough to keep up with technology. Don’t be afraid to ask your kids to explain it to you.

2.    If you're not already on Facebook, consider joining. That way you'll understand what it's all about!

3.    Create a Facebook group for your family so you will have a private space to share photos and keep in touch.

4.    Teach your children  the online safety basics so they can keep their Facebook timeline (and other online accounts) private and safe.

5.    Talk about technology safety just like you talk about safety while driving and playing sports.

Should you need more information about online safety –you can always talk to your service provider or callus at the National Council for Children on telephone 4 283900