Prepping Kids to Go Online? Send Them to the Mall.

Kids have busy lives. To keep up, they may begin spending time online: creating profiles, sharing photos, chatting with friends. The freedom to socialize on the go is great, but there are some risks, too.

It can be easy for kids to over-share or embarrass themselves or others, so it’s a good idea to remind them that online actions have real-world consequences.

Want help? Try sending them to the mall – the FTC’s virtual mall, where kids age 8-12 learn by playing games. For example, at the book café, Emily asks visitors for help designing her online profile. When kids play the game, they’ll discover what can happen when they post information online, and they’ll get tips about what’s appropriate to share. It’s a great introduction to online life.

Try it, and leave us a comment to let us know what you think.

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