Sponsored Content | Digital Free Press
If you are a parent, you are understandably concerned about the things that your kids are exposed to when they are online. Inappropriate ads, for example, can pop up in front of kids regardless of what kind of site they are on. Every parent has the right to address this.
Studies show that as much as 86% of parents monitor their kids’ online behavior. What can be done when something comes up unexpectedly, though? Are there preventative actions that parents can take? Fortunately, there are. And we will explain in the sections below.
Understand where data comes from
Regardless of what comes up on your kids’ screens – whether it comes from gambling cpa networks, adult sites, or sites promoting violence – you can figure out where the data is being collected and make an effort to control it. This means a couple of things:
- Adjusting your privacy preferences. Rather than simply selecting “accept all,” you should take the time to figure out what type of data is being collected on your computer. You can then decline what you don’t want. And this includes cookies related to marketing.
- Investigate your devices’ operating systems and app stores. This will give you additional insight into the type of data they collect and help you make appropriate decisions.
- Avoid the temptation to connect devices. Apple, for example, is famous for allowing cross-device connections among its devices. But this can lead to unnecessary data exposure, so it is best not to do it.
- Make a regular habit of going through your apps to determine which ones you don’t really need. This will reduce the amount of access that outsiders have to your data. And try not to download apps on a whim; stick to ones that you really need and trust.
Work with your kids to help them understand ads
As your kids grow up, they will develop their own understanding of the advertising world. You can help to shape their perspective by discussing what they see with them. This doesn’t mean that you should turn them off from this industry altogether, but you can help them create a healthier perspective by reviewing things together. In particular:
- When your kids get particular ads, let them know why you think they got them. If ads are for toys or clothing, they may be the result of either cookies or intentional placement on particular sites. But some can be the result of malicious activity. Teaching kids early not to click on suspicious pop-ups can help you a great deal in the future.
- When a child says they want something after seeing it in an ad, ask them why in particular they want it. This might not change the situation, but it could help them think more carefully about grabbing things on a whim.
- Depending on your kids’ ages, it pays to teach them about the larger system that creates ads. Teach them how people get targeted, and how this can be good or bad. It never hurts to start thinking about these things early.
Don’t forget your family values
The problem with the online world is that it seems to take over and dismiss what parents try to teach their kids. And while it would be a mistake to try to shelter your kids from this world altogether, you can do your best to create a balance.
A lot of what appears online unfortunately takes the form of unbridled consumerism, greed, and lack of control. You can ameliorate these influences by first of all controlling what comes onto your screen, and also limiting device time. Have your kids sit down for dinner without their phones, and talk about the things you talked about before the Internet took over.
Make your voice heard
If you really want to make a difference, you can take action on a larger level. The FTC exists for a reason, after all, and it offers a clear way to file complaints for sites that violate federal regulations.
While individual complaints can only go so far in solving problems, making one can give you the satisfaction of knowing you can make a difference. It can give you a sense of empowerment and control over your situation. And if enough people take action, it might be enough to make a real dent in the number of sites that shouldn’t be online.
Take it in stride
You won’t be able to solve all your kids’ problems. But you can take active measures to ensure that their exposure to inappropriate ad content is minimized. And if your kids do come upon things that they shouldn’t, it is your job to sit down and discuss things with them. It is always better to act than to remain passive.
