This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
I’m a member of Master Lock’s Live Secure Safety Squad and have been compensated for my time in writing this post.
To keep our kids safe in this digital age, we need to teach them about both physical and online security, which includes the importance of secure passwords.
I remember when I was in high school about 25 years ago and I didn’t need a password for anything. My school locker was secured with a Master Lock, but I was casual with the combination and several friends knew it. I didn’t have an expensive smart phone, tablet or laptop to keep safe and I didn’t think my friends were going to steal my textbooks.
But even then it was foolish to tell my friends my locker combination. I remember one day a friend and I hadn’t been getting along, so to annoy me she removed my lock from my locker and put on another lock so I couldn’t get in to my locker.
It was a rather harmless prank and she soon removed it. But these days the risks of teenagers’ being slack on security are much higher.
Teaching Kids Security in the Digital Age
Teaching Kids About Secure Passwords
It’s important to teach your kids how to make safe passwords for all their online accounts and devices and to never tell anyone except you. Stress how important it is that they never share their passwords or combinations with friends… even though they think they can trust them.
Explain to them that a strong password…
- Does NOT contain your username or real name.
- Is at least 8 characters long.
- Contains a mixture of uppercase, lowercase, numbers and possibly special characters.
- Should not include a complete word(s).
- Is not similar to a previous password.
The only way to keep a password truly secure – and still not be at risk of forgetting it – is to store it online in a secure website such as Master Lock Vault.
It’s also important to use different passwords for different websites and devices. The only reasonable way to keep track of all those passwords is using such a secure online site to save them all.
For tweens and younger teens, using a secure password storing website is also an excellent way for you to maintain access to their various website accounts. You and your child are the only ones who should have access to that secure account.
(Your older teenagers will likely resist you having access to all their accounts. But I recommend as soon as your kids are old enough to go online that you start this habit and try to keep access as long as possible to help protect them online.)
How to Keep Your Child’s Belongings Secure at School
Since teenagers may be taking expensive devices to school and storing them in lockers, it is important to have a reliable lock that is as secure as possible.
The Master Lock dialSpeed Electronic Combination Lock will give you all peace of mind that their school lockers are secure.
Your child can store the combination online in Master Lock Vault and never tell any of his/her friends. If a friend does find out the combination, simply change to a new combination.
I also love that the lock is so fast and easy to use. With one hand — and not even looking — you can unlock, open the lock and then lock it again.
As soon as kids are old enough to go online or have a locker at school, you need to teach them about the importance of security.
For More About Keeping Your Family Secure
Find more resources and ideas on our Safety Tips – Protecting All You Love Pinterest Board.
Written by Susan Carraretto, co-founder of 5 Minutes for Mom
Talk with me: @5minutesformom and Facebook.com/5minutesformom
Pin with me at http://pinterest.com/5minutesformom/
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Sarah L says
I like the one handed opening for the lock.
Good to have secure passwords.
RICHARD HICKS says
Timely post. It is so important for kids to know about this and adults too
Amanda Sakovitz says
This is something all parents should read. I can’t believe how much the Master Lock has changed!
shaunie says
While it may be scary it is best to teach your children and it may not take away the fear completely but your child will learn to be safe
meagan bs says
i haven’t had to talk to my daughter about this stuff yet, but this will be helpful for when i do.
Jill Myrick says
This is a discussion that we have with each of our children when they begin school.
It’s so easy for someone to steal another persons identity these days that you just can’t be too safe. We talk to our children about security at school and are always in the room with them when they are on the computer at home.
jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com
K. Finn says
That’s pretty cool that you don’t even have to look to unlock that lock. I think that that sort of thing would be great on a bike lock. I’m imagining you have to get your bike and it’s late at night, and you want to be aware of your surroundings, but instead you have to look at your lock…
Helga says
Very importnat topic. These days parents must be up to date on technology and safety.
Heather McKenzie Carter says
WE homeschool our kids so they use the computer – A LOT- stressing internet safety is one of the key points that we’ve taught our kids.
scarlett says
this is soooo important!
Jeanna says
This is a great post and something I am starting to deal with now with my son! Those locks look impressive!
Bailey Dexter says
Great article! Security is one of the first things we should teach our kids for the computers, it is nice in town we have a few good classes for different ages to learn about the dangers on line.
Vonnie says
Masterlocks are good but the best lock they aren’t foolproof sometimes you need something better like a personal vault. Libertysafe makes some good ones.
Susan Smith says
It is important to teach kids about securing all their important information at home and at school.
Angela Saver says
Thanks for the great reminder! It’s so important to revisit this topic even if it’s been awhile!
Cynthia C says
Parents have a lot to be concerned about now. Nice article.
Tammy S says
Very good information. It sure isn’t like when we were in school. We have worked very hard to teach our kids about safety online and in the real world. Master Locks sure have changed in the last few years.
vickie couturier says
such good tips,,all kids need to know how to be safe and stay safe
claudia m says
very interesting article and tips ! thanks for the reminder that it is an ongoing problem and I should go over with the Kids again.
Kathy stevenson says
This will be good to go over with my 8 year old.
Michelle S says
This is a great topic that people need to teach their kids about! If not telling them show them examples on the internet of what can happen!
heather says
I would love to have this one for school this sounds really great thanks for sharing.
Barbara Montag says
With the increase of online time this is essential!
Thanks for the great post.
Chelsey Jones says
I agree, I think it is so important to teach kids about online safety. Especially since now they grow up with it and they have never known life without the internet and social media. It is so important for them to understand they cannot trust people online and give out personal information.
Cheryl Free says
Teaching kids to be safe is important.
LaVonne says
I haven’t taught my six year old much about security but need to. Great reminder post!
Nicole Dz says
With so much stuff going on in the world today, it is important to teach kids about securing all there important information at home and at school. We always teach them that passwords should be strong.
Rebecca Parsons says
Now this is a neat new lock. Now a days you have to inform them on keeping passwords secret. My daughter gave out her facebook password and her friend at the time posted stuff that she shouldn’t have.
Lisa Brown says
those new locks are interesting and nice looking.
anne says
Impressive and interesting article.