Protecting Foster Children Online: A Short Guide for Foster Carers

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Foster carers must act vigilant when children in their care access the internet, regardless of which device they’re using. In this article, we’ll provide insights on how to discuss online safety with your foster children, how to set parental controls, how to set boundaries, and how to spot cyberbullying and other threats.

Screen Limits

In a time before technology became a necessity, children had no choice but to find alternative forms of entertainment besides screens. Despite technology being present in almost every household, it’s still important to encourage children to spend time away from the screen.

There may not be any official laws to dictate screen time, but here are some general guidelines:

• Children below 18 months old shouldn’t have screen time.
• Children between 10 months and two years old should have little access to apps while being supervised.
• Children between 2 and 5 years old should have their screen time capped at one hour each day, and it’s a good idea for foster carers to join in.
• Children aged 6+ should have limited screen time and guidance for “safe” content.

Some children need access to computers to facilitate homework, so you’ll need to avoid taking this out of screen time. If you’re fostering in Manchester and need support buying devices for educational purposes, you may be eligible for an additional allowance.

Talk to Your Foster Children About the Online Dangers

To help your foster child understand the dangers lurking online, you have to talk to them openly. Here are some tips:

• Be honest: Online dangers are very real, so don’t sugar-coat it.
• Be specific: Tell your foster children why the internet is dangerous; talk about online predators, inappropriate content, and cyberbullying.
• Start early: The earlier foster children start learning about online dangers, the better equipped they’ll be.
• Be a role model: Practice safe internet usage yourself by thinking before accessing content and limiting your own screen time, which can do wonders for your mental health.
• Be ready to answer questions: Open conversation works both ways, so encourage questions about internet safety.

If you need help on topics to discuss, there are plenty of resources online and you can always talk to your foster agency or foster child’s school for additional support.

Checking Privacy Settings

One of the most important steps you can take to keep foster children safe online is checking their privacy settings. This involves ensuring their personal information is not visible to the public, which helps with reducing potentially predatory communication.

If your foster child used social media platforms, check the security settings to make sure only people they know can view posts, photos, and profile information – you can even prevent strangers from making contact or adding them as a friend.

The Internet is a powerful tool for education, entertainment, and communication. However, it’s important to make sure foster children are aware of potential dangers. By being a role model, discussing internet dangers, checking privacy settings, and monitoring online activity, the internet will become a much safer environment for your foster children.