Expert provides tips and advice to parents on internet safety

SALT LAKE CITY — In light of the kidnapping of a Layton teenager this week, the importance of internet safety has grown significantly.

Earl Foote, CEO of Nexus IT Consultants joined KSL NewsRadio Wednesday to discuss the importance of internet safety.

“First of all, as parents, in today’s world, you have to be involved with kids when it comes to technology, in particularly their activity online,” he said.

Foote says parents can do things such as enabling parental control and filtering content.

“But all of that only goes so far,” he said. 

He says it’s critical for parents to talk to their children about the dangers of online activity. Foote says it’s especially important to discuss talking to strangers with them.

In the abduction of the Layton teenager, police say the victim had been talking to the suspect for weeks through a gaming device. The suspect then traveled from Arizona to Utah to entice the victim. 

The pair were eventually found early Wednesday morning in Nebraska.

Teaching about internet safety

To ensure this type of incident doesn’t happen, Foote says parents need to always be teaching their children about the dangers that the internet can present.

“Really it is a matter of consistently educating your kids, and then checking up on the activity,” he said. 

He says parents need to make it clear that they will be checking up on their children’s online activity.

Foote says parents should establish boundaries and rules, such as no personal devices in a bedroom. 

“There are a lot of things you can do as a parent,” he said. “It’s just a matter of what you want to do.”

He encourages parents to stay engaged with their children regarding everything they view online. 

Jeff Caplan’s Afternoon News can be heard on weekdays from 3 to 7 p.m.

Related reading:

• US internet service company blocks controversial harassment website
• Experts offer tips for your kids’ internet safety

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