Guide from Northbridge IT: how to ensure your child's internet safety

Guide from Northbridge IT: how to ensure your child's internet safety During this time of remote learning during the Northbridge International School Cambodia Virtual School Experience, we have had to upend accepted norms around screen time for children.

During this time of remote learning during the Northbridge International School Cambodia Virtual School Experience, we have had to upend accepted norms around screen time for children.

This is a big adjustment for parents. Some of the questions that we are being asked in IT include:

• How do I know if my child is safe on the internet?
• How do I know what my child is doing on the internet?

This is a challenging time, and we are all having to extend and stretch in new directions to keep children learning.

It’s also important that you talk with your child about what you consider acceptable behaviour.

Some questions to consider:

• Is it OK for your child to be in pyjamas during an online session with a teacher?
• Is it OK for your child to have more than one device open while in an online session with a teacher?
• Is it OK for your child to be watching YouTube when the teacher is speaking?
• Is it OK for your child to be sitting on the toilet while in an online session with a teacher?
• How will your child show you and the teacher that they are a responsible listener and learner?
• Are there set times in which the devices need to be put away?

I have put together a short guide to help parents with setting up controls and limits on devices and your home network:

 

For home computers:

The simplest and most cost-effective method of implementing internet safety at home is by using either of these:

1. Cisco’s OpenDNS FamilyShield

There is a free option and a paid option:

https://www.opendns.com/home-internet-security/

2. CleanBrowsing Family Filter

There is a free option and a paid option:

https://cleanbrowsing.org

 

Northbridge IT allows CleanBrowsing Family Filter and OpenDNS FamilyShield to work within our network, but other options such as NetNanny and Circle are also highly recommended. 

If you do choose NetNanny or Circle, please let the Northbridge IT department know by emailing: servicedesk@nisc.edu.kh

 

For smartphones:

Microsoft Family, Apple Family and Google Play for Families all offer controls for your child’s devices.

 

General advice

• On Windows, change your child’s login account to a Local Account and set your own account to an Administrator - Local Account.
• On MacOS, change your child’s login account to a Standard User and set your own account to an Admin Account.
• They will then need your password to install software.

 

If you have more questions around this topic, please contact Heidi Hendry, our IT Director, or Measmalis Mang, our Network Manager, via: servicedesk@nisc.edu.kh