Tag Archives: child

How to Protect Your Kids Online

Do you know what your kids are doing online? That question may seem like it has a simple yes or no answer, but that’s hardly the case. With so many streaming platforms, social media outlets and new gaming options popping up every day, it’s nearly impossible to fully protect your kids from what they can encounter online.

The Federal Trade Commission has several suggestions for protecting your kids online. Here are some of its recommendations.

  • Overcommunicate. How successful you will be with your child’s online safety hinges on communication. Ask them about the newest apps and online trends. Be open about the dangers of the internet and teach them to be skeptical about every website and app. Encourage them to bring concerning items they find to you to have a discussion. The goal is to make your child as concerned about their online well-being as you are.
  • Limit where and how they use their devices. Most phones, tablets and computers have parental control options that allow you to set age, time and content restrictions. Spend some time to understand what’s available to parents and how it works. It can be hard to know where to draw boundaries for your children, but don’t let that discourage you. A good practice is to start by over-restricting and then becoming more lenient over time. In addition to what your kids can access, set rules about where they can use their devices.
  • Stress the safe-guarding of personal information. Most kids know not to openly share addresses, phone numbers or personal information online, but there are a few places where it happens inadvertently. One of those is in your profile you set up for a website or app. In some cases, your profile is made public to other users. Another place it can happen is in-app chatting. Most apps and games have a forum that allow users to interact with one another. Frequently ask your kids about who they are interacting with online and follow up on any suspicious online relationships. Never allow photos of your home or address to be shared or posted.
  • Observe attitude and behavior. Monitor your child’s activity and let them know you are doing so. If your child is struggling with something they came across online, or have found themselves in a dangerous situation, they may show signs through their behavior. If you notice them withdrawing emotionally, looking to access devices in private, or showing signs of anxiety or depression, your kids may need your help.

Discussing the dangers of the online world with your child can be uncomfortable and awkward, but in today’s interconnected world, it’s imperative in order to keep them mentally healthy and physically safe.

Is Summer Childcare Tax Deductible?

For millions of working parents, the summer comes with the added challenge of finding care for their out-of-school children. With summer underway, you probably now have the childcare summer gap covered. There is a good chance this care is eligible for the Child & Dependent Care Credit.

Qualifications for the credit

To take advantage of this tax savings opportunity you must meet the following qualifications:

  • You have: one or more dependent children under the age of 13
  • You have: earned income (wages, salary, tips, or business income)
  • You have: qualified day care expenses
  • You are: financially supporting and maintain a home for your dependent child

What you should know

Taxpayers that use daycare to bridge the summer gap could be eligible for a tax credit if they qualify and organize now. To receive the credit:

  • The care must be provided so you can work – The care can also qualify if you are looking for work.
  • The care does not have to be at a facility – This means day camps, daycare, and nanny care qualify. However, overnight camps or summer school costs do not qualify.
  • If married, both spouses need to work – There is some leeway if one spouse is a full-time student or is disabled.
  • You need to keep records – You need to have receipts for the care expense and you will have to report the caregiver’s tax information (name, address, and tax ID/Social Security number) to receive the credit.
  • The care payment needs to qualify – You may not pay a dependent or your spouse to care for your children. But beyond this, who you pay is flexible.