When in Doubt, Talk It Out

When to get help

Play to Interland and learn the digital rules

One piece of advice that appears consistently throughout these thematics is: If children come across something that makes them feel uncomfortable or worse, encourage them to report it – be brave and talk to someone they trust who can help, including you, the principal, or a parent. Children should pick this up from any one of the thematics, but just to be sure, here’s a family discussion focused specifically on the “when in doubt, talk it out” principle. Below, you’ll find a list of situations in which talking it out can really help.

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Goals

Recognize that seeking help for oneself or others is a sign of strength.

Think out loud together about situations where talking it out can really help.

Let's talk

Here’s a whole list of situations you might run into online. We may not get through them all because I hope you’ll raise your hands when something on the list reminds you of a situation you’ve been in and what you did about it, so we can talk those situations out together.

Important notes

Children have been taught or conditioned not to “tattle” for so many generations that it has become a social norm, and bullying prevention experts have been working hard to help children understand the difference between “telling” and getting help. Help your children see that seeking support when hurtful things happen online is not “tattling”; it’s about getting help for themselves or peers when people are getting hurt.
Fostering open communication and reminding children you’re always there for backup support and appropriate reporting.
In the discussion below, any time children share about times they sought adult help, be sure the tone of the conversation is one that makes them feel proud and brave to have taken action, especially since they’re speaking up in front of peers.

Activity

Ask your children to silently read the list. While they do, ask them to think all about whether any of these situations happened to them, whether they wanted to ask for help in any of them and if they did or not.

You had this feeling that your account may have been compromised. (Discussion opportunity: What can you do to make your account security even stronger?)
You needed help remembering a password.
You were unsure whether something was a scam or thought you might have fallen for one. (Discussion opportunity: What are the warning signs?)
Someone tried to discuss something online with you that made you uncomfortable.
You received a creepy message or comment from a stranger. (Discussion opportunity: What makes something creepy?)
You wanted to discuss something someone said online that was really nice OR really mean.
You were concerned you may have shared something online you shouldn’t have. Only tell us what it was if you feel comfortable sharing that, but even if you don’t, tell us what you did about it.
You saw a peer being hurtful to another student online.
You saw someone threatening to start a fight or harm someone.
Someone posted a fake profile about another student.
You were concerned about another student because of something they posted or texted. (Discussion opportunity: Sometimes it’s difficult to risk upsetting your friend, but isn’t their safety and well-being more important?)

Ask your children to tell what they did (or didn’t do) and why.

Let’s discuss those situations.

Takeaway

It may not always seem like it, but being able to ask for help when you’re not sure what to do is a brave thing to do. If it’s to help you or someone heal something hurtful or stop harm from happening, it’s both smart and courageous.

Vocabulary

Courageous

Brave; not necessarily fearless, though, because people are especially brave when they’re scared or nervous but take positive action anyway.

Compromised account

An online account that has been taken over by someone else so that you no longer have complete control of it.

Student agency

A step beyond a student using their voice to speak up, student agency is the capacity to act or make change; including protecting or standing up for oneself and others; often seen as a necessary part of citizenship.

Trust

Strong belief that something or someone is reliable, truthful, or able.

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Kidsafety

Monitor your children's internet use

One of your most important jobs as a parent is to raise your children as responsible and independent internet users. To do that, they need your help. Sit with your kids when they go on the internet, help them find their way online and show them how to deal with things they feel uncomfortable with. Look for appropriate material and help your child make a choice in the enormous offer. Find out what the age ratings of games, movies and the like are. Agree with your child to talk to you when he/she encounters something strange or inappropriate on the screen.

When they get older and more sociable, keep an eye on who your children chat and play games with. Are they friends or strangers? You are supposed to guide them, not catch them when they do something wrong. If your children think you're spying on them, they will be less inclined to talk to you when things go wrong.

Kidsafety

Lay down some rules around the use of apps

Apps and online games offer so many possibilities nowadays that not setting any restrictions for your children is not an option. It is important to explain to your children why you restricted the use of apps on their tablet or smartphone and to allow exceptions when they need it. Reasonable rules are also easier to accept for children and to enforce for you. Continue to check their use as they get older, but give them increasingly more freedom within certain limits. This teaches them to use their devices responsibly.

Restrict in-app purchases completely or give your child a fixed budget he/she can spend on apps or music. Never give a child access to your credit card or financial information.

Set restrictions in the App Store
Set restrictions in the Play Store

Discover all the kidsafety tips

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