When fostering in the Midlands, we at Fostering Dimensions do more than just the standard. Our priority is supporting our foster carers as well as keeping the foster children safe. We can’t deny the advantages of the internet and they cannot be overstated. You benefit from accessible information, communication, socialising and learning – it has it all. Unfortunately, with such ease for access can bring trouble – the dark web.
In this article, we’re going to discuss the dark side to the internet and how foster carers and children need protection from it. There are a scary amount of online bullies, paedophiles, criminals and cyber attackers – of which children and young people are especially vulnerable to.
What fostering in the Midlands with Fostering dimensions can teach you
There are a number of things you can put in place when fostering in the Midlands. We appreciate that many foster children will treasure having their own space and independence. We don’t expect you to follow them around. However, by putting simple measures in place, it can help protect them and yourselves. Given what’s happening with the current pandemic, Covid-19 has seen more and more people spending time at home and on their devices.
The first thing we recommend is speaking to them. Try and make them understand the importance of being safe online. As we mentioned, Fostering in the Midlands is more than just a process for us. What you explain to them and their level of understanding will naturally be determined by their age and what devices they have. It may be a good idea to supervise initially, to see what your foster children are accessing and/or if they are speaking to anyone else online. Normally, this will be other friends and family, but it’s always good to double-check.
Ease into it
This process doesn’t have to be intense. Work with your foster children and put privacy settings in place with them. Most important, be vigilant. When working with Fostering Dimensions and fostering in the Midlands, we will work with you to notice signs that seem out of the ordinary. If you see them acting differently after school or receiving a text, it may be worth chatting to them. Bullies are no longer left at school but can follow the victim home through social media, texts emails and so on. Similarly, paedophiles can gain access to the child in your home through the internet.
It may be easy to worry too much. It is important to be aware that not everyone on the internet is bad. Relationships and friends can form via social media and if your foster children wants to meet someone they have been talking to, find out as much as you can about them. Suggest they meet in a place you know or you can give them a lift then wait unobtrusively. If it’s genuine, then the other person won’t mind.
Measures to put in place
There are more measures you can put in place when fostering in the Midlands and trying to protect your children. We’ve summarised a few points below to help you to get you started.
- Install parental control software.
- Cover the in-built cameras on laptops and computers
- Teach your child or young person how to stay safe online
- Make your own social media account so you can monitor and stay familiar with how to operate the channels
- Teach your child not to share any personal details
- Report suspicious or unwanted attention to the website moderator.
- Show your foster children how to ‘block’ someone or unfriend on social media.
If you’re ever in doubt and are questioning your journey when fostering in the Midlands, give us a call and we can reassure you. You’re not in this alone so don’t feel like you are. We’re more than happy to help.