Parents: Stay Up to Date on the Most Popular Social Networking Sites

Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Bebo, Vine, MySpace – the list goes on and on. It seems like new social media platforms are added to the fold on a daily basis, and keeping track of them all can be a difficult task. According to data from the Kaspersky Security Network and research conducted by Kaspersky Lab, 31.3% of kids search for social networks online.

As students head back to school, they’ll likely be adding new friends on Facebook, following new classmates on Twitter and posting pictures of their school lunches on Instagram. Although some sites provide great privacy and security settings for kids, especially those that fall under certain ages, some social sites, like Snapchat, have introduced a new dimension of sharing that has come with some controversy. While it can seem a bit overwhelming to keep track of, there are some steps you can take to make sure your kids are staying safe online – no matter what device they are using.

• Talk with your kids. Go through popular websites and apps with your kids so you know what sites they are browsing online.
• Install security software. Kaspersky provides award-winning Internet security features that can keep your kids, your devices and your financial information safe online. Make sure to have a comprehensive security solution installed on your child’s computer and mobile device to ensure full protection.
• Block inappropriate sites. Use Parental Control features in your Internet security product to block any sites you deem inappropriate.
• Set limits for time usage. With Parental Control features you can set time limits for your children to be online. Now you don’t have to go in to Sally’s room 10 times to ask her to come down to the dinner table. It is good practice to talk through these time limits with your kids though.
• Encourage privacy. Talk with your kids and make sure they are not divulging personal information when signing up for or using new social media websites/apps.
• Be the parent. If you are not comfortable with your children accessing social sites while they’re alone, establish a rule to only access them on a communal family computer or tablet, and enable security settings on their own personal devices to block them.