Homeschoolers: 5 Ways You Can Protect Privacy

 

Homeschoolers are not exempt when it comes to concerns about Internet privacy. Parents are well aware of the obvious dangers of online predators and scams, but what about what goes on behind the scenes? The simple act of opening a browser opens up a whole world of the unknown. Well, unknown to the common user, not to the scammer, hacker, or coder. 

The first time I saw a television ad for Facebook I thought it was a joke—or an ad for privacy software. I was dead wrong. The ad showed people at different locations. One at a coffee shop. Another at a local library. Another at a restaurant. The icons popped up showing how you could tell where your friends were in real time as they “signed in” to the location they were visiting. I stood wide-eyed, thinking that it was crazy that people would even think of sacrificing their Internet privacy in such a way. Of course over the years it has become the norm. Venues beg customers to follow them on Facebook, check in that they were there, and so forth to help their business grow. It is simply how business is done with little questioning or push back. 

I was never one to really question the common narrative until I became a Creationist. Once I realized that evolution was only a theory and not a fact as was pushed in the public school system that I graduated from, I refused to just accept everything as fact.

Even more recently my husband and I were concerned about our privacy when we received a letter in the mail inviting us to a free meal that included a sales pitch. I usually ignore those but we decided to give it a shot, because, well, a free date night!

When we arrived and saw what they were selling, it was not what was advertised on the flyer. The eerie truth was, it was something that we had searched the Internet for shortly before receiving the flyer. The same exact thing with the others that were there. 

Internet privacy does seem impossible these days unless you abandon it completely, but for homeschoolers, a few steps are possible to help you prevent yourself from putting yourself completely out there. Here are five ways you can protect privacy.

1. Use Proton Mail

This is easy. Simply sign up for the free version of Proton Mail for private, secure, encrypted mail. You can keep your old Google or Yahoo! account, which will forward your emails to your new account but when you respond with your new account, the privacy aspects kick in.

2. Change Your VPN

This is a quick and easy solution for homeschoolers seeking Internet privacy. Free or paid versions are out there. This is a simple way to keep your Internet usage safe, secure, and anonymous.

It’s worth mentioning that there’s some incredible technology that you can use to harness your teaching abilities, including education erp software that improves student success.

3. Delete Google Apps from Your Phone

Unless you buy a de-googled phone (which are challenging to use unless extremely tech savvy) it is difficult to get away from Google doing what it does on your phone. That said, you have the option on most phones to delete Google apps from your home screen. If you must use Google apps, keep them on your desktop or laptop but avoid having your homeschooler using them on your phone.

4. Use a Faraday Bag in the Car

When heading to your local co-op, museum, or library, throw your phone into a Faraday bag. This prevents tracking, signal, or calls and texts coming in or going out. This might seem over-the-top, but I remember driving around as a teenager in the 90s without a cell phone and I did just fine. This method is even better. You have the phone in case you absolutely need it, but if you do not need it, it does not track every single place you go. Have you ever shopped at a grocery store and all of a sudden you receive a notification to rate your experience as soon as you get in the car? I am done with those days. 

5. Turn off Browsing History on YouTube/Use Rumble Instead

My last Internet privacy suggestion for homeschoolers has to do with YouTube. Whether you are on a phone, laptop, or desktop it is ideal to turn off the browsing history. You do not even need to sign in. This will prevent suggested videos, but in the end that is truly beneficial for you. It helps you not to go down so many rabbit trails! If you want to avoid YouTube, try Rumble. The volume of content does not compare, but if I need up-to-date news, or want to show the kids a movie trailer, I check Rumble first and can usually find what I need. 

What do YOU do to ensure Internet privacy?

 Do any of the ones I listed seem too extreme? 

I'd love to know your thoughts!