As the co-founder and CEO of a family safety company, I hear from parents all the time who want to know about the best tips for keeping their kids safe, especially as they get older. Reflecting on these conversations, I have noticed that many parents are intimidated by technology when, in fact, leveraging technology can provide parents with a sense of security that was not previously feasible. I have included some tips below which parents can keep in mind when looking to leverage technology to maintain their children’s safety:
- Understand and avoid dangerous areas: This is especially important if you’ve just moved somewhere and aren’t as familiar with the area. Take the time to peruse local websites to see which places your family should avoid, and make sure to communicate that information to your kids.
- Keep your kids active: The more activities that your kids are involved in, the more time they spend with other children and supervisors. This can be anything from soccer to music lessons to arts and crafts. There are applications available that leverage GPS to help you find opportunities like this in your area so you know your options.
- Increase family communication: This can be easier today with new technology like family safety apps that let kids check-in to their location. If you’re not using one of these apps, make sure your child gives you a call when they reach their destination safely.
- Make sure your kids have instant access to their address/phone and their emergency contact’s information. In the age of the cell phone most kids don’t memorize phone numbers anymore but there are applications that store this information so children can reach their emergency contacts with a click of a button. This access can be a lifesaver if they have an accident or get lost.
While these are just some uses of technology that stick out in my mind, I’m sure there are plenty others which parents have found works with their kids and gives their kids more freedom without sacrificing safety. Please feel free to share them here – I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Chris Hulls is the co-founder and CEO of family safety company, Life360, which has over two million families using its mobile and Web products.
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