Parents’ handbook for a kids’ first gadget

In this post, we go through a thorough checklist based on our recommendations for how to prepare and what to do with your child’s first gadget, which were developed by Kaspersky in collaboration with Dr. Saliha Afridi, clinical psychologist. To make this challenge easier for you, we’ve included a link to download the handbook in PDF format at the end of this post.

What should I do before give a gadget to my kid?

1. Create a child account
2. Disable in-app purchases
3. Install essential apps
4. Adjust app privacy
5. Use a digital parenting app (like Kaspersky Safe Kids)
6. Set age-appropriate filters
7. Block unknown calls

How do I introduce a new gadget to my child?

1. Establish family rules and good tech-habits
2. Create tech-free zones and times
3. Promote non-tech activities
4. Limit your kid’s phone usage during:
   • meals
   • bedtime
   • family gatherings and outings
   • homework and studying
   • hosting social gatherings
   • engaging in outdoor activities
   • morning routines

What online safety rules should my child know?

1. Set clear ground rules about what they can and can’t do online
2. Teach them privacy basics and tell them about the risks of oversharing
3. Emphasize that they should never share personal info or login details
4. Advise children to use non-personal usernames

What are the main online risks I should tell my kid about?

1. Watch out for phishing scams
2. Avoid unauthorized game downloads
3. Ignore intrusive ads and surveys
4. Exercise caution regarding links and email attachments
5. Seek help if uncomfortable or suspicious regarding something online
6. Use unique passwords, and consider Kaspersky Password Manager  for security

How do I help my children avoid online strangers?

1. Telling them to say no to unknown friend requests
2. Telling them to become suspicious if someone asks personal questions
3. Maintaining open communication about your kids’ online activities

What online gaming safety advice should I give?

1. Play with friends you know
2. Enable a “gaming mode” for safety
3. Download games only from trusted stores
4. Ignore chat-room links
5. Never share passwords – even with friends

My kid is being bullied on the Internet. What should I do?

1. Listen to them without interrupting
2. Make them feel both safe and understood
3. Take screenshots of harmful content
4. Discourage retaliation
5. Update privacy settings, change passwords, block or report the bully
6. Report to the school
7. Consider professional help for stress-related signs

My kid is bullying others online. What should I do?

1. Stay calm, gather evidence, and understand the context
2. Get your child’s side of the story
3. Help them see the impact on others
4. Encourage an apology to the victim
5. Without being overly invasive, consider using digital parenting apps
6. Promote responsible online behavior
7. Seek professional help if necessary

What questions should I ask my child to ensure their online experience is safe?

1. What’s interesting online today?
2. Anything confusing encountered?
3. Do you chat or game with strangers?
4. How do you choose what to share?
5. Have you ever felt uncomfortable online?
6. Are there any new apps or websites you enjoy?
7. Do you know how to handle inappropriate messages?
8. Have you ever seen someone being unkind online? How did you react?

How do I monitor my kids online without invading their privacy?

1. Talk about their online experience
2. Engage in their online activities together
3. Use safety-focused parenting apps
4. Explain why certain controls are needed
5. Shift from monitoring to mentoring
6. Stay updated on digital trends and share insights

What are signs of a negative impact of devices on my kids?

1. Lower grades
2. Less physical and social activity
3. Eye strain, poor sleep, bad posture
4. More irritability, withdrawal
5. Neglecting hobbies, responsibilities
6. Anxiety, depression, low self-esteem
7. Shorter attention span, memory issues

We’ve explored the crucial steps for empowering both you and your child in the digital realm. For your convenience, download our PDF handbook — a practical resource to help you navigate your child’s tech journey with confidence.