Katharina Buczek
Unfortunately, it’s likely that your child will eventually see something inappropriate online. So, remember that when your kid comes to you afterward, your initial reaction will set the tone.
Try your hardest to stay calm and avoid expressions of shock or anger, as these can make your child feel like they’ve done something wrong– discouraging them from coming to you in the future.
Rather, just thank them for telling you and assure them that they’ve done the right thing by speaking up about it.
Maintain Understanding And Empathy
Afterward, you can work to understand what exactly happened. In other words, the context in which your child came across the inappropriate content.
Was it through a harmless Google search gone wrong, or was it shared by someone– like a peer?
Gaining this understanding will help you address the root cause and guide you in preventing similar occurrences from happening again.
Throughout this conversation, don’t forget to show empathy, either. Keep in mind that your child might feel embarrassed or scared, which is why your support is crucial at this moment.
Teach, Don’t Preach
You can also use this situation as a teaching moment to further explain why certain content is inappropriate. Just be sure to tailor your explanation to their age and maturity level.
Also, keep in mind that this conversation isn’t about lecturing. Rather, it’s about helping your child develop the necessary skills to navigate online spaces safely and wisely.
