Age-Appropriate Web Activities for Kids
The Web is evolving at such a quick rate these days that it’s becoming easier and easier for people to use it. Even kids these days can master basic Web activities such as email, online gaming, and social networking. However, this doesn’t mean that kids should be given free rein of Web use.
Unrestricted Web use can pose some threats to child safety or security, so it’s best if you set age-appropriate Web activities for your kids. Here’s a quick guide that you can use to set the right Web activities for kids of all ages.
Ages 7 to 9
Seven years of age is usually the best time to introduce kids to the Internet and websites that provide educational games and other learning tools. Experts don’t usually recommend kids younger than this age to use the Web at all. At these ages, it’s best to completely supervise kids’ Web use, so that they don’t accidentally stumble upon inappropriate websites.
Ages 10 to 12
At these ages, kids are more interested in the Web and the activities they can do on it. So it becomes even more important for you to supervise kids’ Web activities. Kids will definitely want to try out online gaming, social networking, instant messaging, chat, and email. Kids’ Web use should still be supervised, but not as closely. Schedules and parental control software work best at helping you oversee your kids’ Web use.
Ages 13 and above
Teenagers are generally harder to control in terms of their Internet use. By this age, most kids will have mastered using social networking sites, chat rooms, and gaming websites, and many of them will know how to get around parental control software too. So, at these ages, it’s important for you to remind your kids about the importance of keeping personal information private and practicing good judgment.
