It’s easy for parents to get how Bark can help keep their kids safe. But unfortunately, that doesn’t mean their kids will immediately understand the benefits of using our content monitoring, screen time management, and web filtering features. As a local Bark provider, YK Communications is here with help!

The best way to get your kids on board with Bark is to have an open conversation about why you think it’s important for them to use. Here are a few talking points to help get the conversation started:

• Bark can help keep kids safe by monitoring their social media
  accounts for signs of cyberbullying, inappropriate content, and more.
• Bark allows parents to NOT have to snoop through their kids’ devices and conversations. It actually builds trust and gives kids privacy by flagging areas of concern and alerting parents to possible issues.
• We also recommend sharing Bark’s parent testimonials and safety resources with your kids so they can see how Bark has helped other families just like theirs.

Of course, every family is different, so tailor your conversation.

Parents have to do everything they can to help protect their kids from digital dangers, and Bark lets them do exactly that. Here are some conversation starters for all three features of Bark.

Explaining Content Monitoring

Some kids are concerned that parents will be snooping through all of their conversations if they allow Bark to monitor their online accounts. In reality, parents employ Bark because it allows them to avoid doing so. Checking devices every night or week is time-consuming and intrusive. The appeal of Bark is that it only notifies parents about potential concerns. Parents don’t have to search through every text, email, or social media post when alerted by the Bark alerts; this gives children more privacy, not less.

Start the conversation:

“I believe it’s critical that you have your privacy. The reason I want to use Bark is because it will only notify me if there is a problem. I don’t want to read every time you ask your pals what’s going on, but I do want to know if anyone is cyberbullying or sending you indecent photos.”

It’s also worth noting that 99.91% of all communications are reviewed only by Bark’s artificial intelligence engine. Kids can rest assured knowing that neither their parents nor Bark are watching their every move.

Start the conversation:

“You know how when you first got your permit, you had to have someone else driving with you to help you watch for dangers on the road? That’s kind of how Bark works — it helps me keep an eye out for hazardous drivers on social media who might be endangering you.”

Parents should give their kids some credit — they’re often capable of handling challenging situations on their own. But they can’t handle everything alone. For times when they’re in over their heads — if they’re being groomed by a sexual predator or if someone is extorting them with inappropriate photos — Bark allows kids to have someone in their corner.

Start the conversation:

“I think it’s cool that you have so many followers on Instagram. But some of the comments I’ve read are concerning, and I want to help you stay safe online. Bark will let me know if someone is harassing you or sending inappropriate messages.”

Raising Kids in the Digital Age Just Got Easier

Bark encourages families to have sensitive talks about what they’re seeing on the internet. Whether it’s a classmate threatening to bring a weapon to school, a friend self-harming, or viewing cyberbullying on Instagram, children must know how to react. These discussions may be difficult, but they’re necessary.

At the end of the conversation, it’s a good idea to give your child time to explain how they feel about the situation — listen to them and be open. If you let them know that you care about their perspective and want to hear them out, that can reduce friction and help them adjust.

Whether you’re a parent of a preteen or a teenager, these conversation starters should help you get the ball rolling on discussing Bark with your kids. Trust is essential in any family relationship, and kids need to know that you’re not interested in reading their private thoughts or invading their privacy — you just want to keep them safe from digital dangers.

With Bark from YK Communications, you can have peace of mind knowing that your children are protected online without having to snoop through their devices or conversations. If you have any questions about how Bark works or would like more tips on talking to your kids about online safety, our team is always here to help.

Contact us anytime at (361) 771-3334 or send us an email at sales@ykc.com.