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How Does One Protect Their Kids From The Big Bad World?

Indeed! This is a question that continues to be echoed around the world; in multi languages, in countless places, and in a plethora of formats and forums. It is not going to go away so we might as well get used to it and now it is time for some basic and common sense answers.

To get straight to the point; there are two simple but very important things to keep in mind. Firstly, to make your kids aware of who to look out for in the big bad world, and second to give them the tools to deal with these things.

So we are going to give you two very important checklists for this. They are not complete by any means but they are handy references that you can certainly use at any time and expand whenever you think of something to add to them. These checklists contain tips for both online as well as elsewhere.

Who to look out for in the Big Bad World:

1. You should tell your kids to be ware of strangers approaching them outside their home. In the schoolyard, in the playground, in the mall, on the street, in the park, on the beach, anywhere.


2. You should tell them not to correspond with anyone unfamiliar to them online. Anyone who they do not know directly or have not met face to face. No one who is not known directly by you, their siblings, or friends. No sharing of photos.


3. Coach your kids never to accept invitations to parties from strangers or anyone that they do not know very well. They should always seek your permission before going out to any party or event.


4. Coach your kids never to accept gifts from anyone that you do not know personally.


5. Teach them good cell phone habits. To not share their personal info on their I device or cell phone. To not exchange texts with strangers, share photos with strangers, and to always keep a close eye on their I device and cell phone.


6. They need to make sure that their device is always within easy reach or view of them and if they were to lose it they are to report it to you immediately.


7. Make sure that you know who your kids are friends with and as much as possible about their parents and where they go and what they do. This may be a difficult task at times but you need to keep on top of things.

What kind of tools can you provide to your kids to help them protect themselves from the Big Bad World? Here are some tips:

1. You can give them a secret code that they can use to communicate with you in case of an emergency. Example, if you call them or visa versa and they are in difficulty they can use this code to alert you.


2. If a stranger approaches your kids and they need to verify that you know said stranger then you should give your kids a secret question to ask the stranger and if the stranger fails the secret question test then your kids are to call you immediately.


3. Give a list of persons to your kids who you have designated to pick them up at school or at any other place if you are not available to do so.


4. Keep talking to your kids about staying alert at all times and encourage them to communicate freely with you.


5. Finally, keep coaching them on the perils and dangers of talking to strangers. What to do and what not to do.

Here are a few resources to get you started:

Not With My Child: How to Protect Your Child from Predators:
http://www.notwithmychild.org/2010/01/not-with-my-child.html

Top Five Ways for Parents to Protect Children - Dr. Phil.com:
http://drphil.com/articles/article/623

10 Ways To Protect Your Children From Sexual Abuse:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/stop-the-cycle/201112/child-sexual-abuse-ten-ways-protect-your-kids