Staying safe – how to protect your kids in an “internet everywhere” age
It’s great to be digitally connected and living in the 5G world. However, with the advancement of technology and soaring penetration of the internet, cyberbullying and online threats have also become more pervasive. Such threats can hit home in various ways, lead to intimidation and bullying, and leave a lasting impression on the victim.
Children are the most vulnerable to cyberbullying incidents, and according to one survey, only 11% of affected children report such incidents to their parents. They suffer alone and intensely. As parents, it is crucial to understand your children’s distress and assist them in remaining safe from the dangers of the internet.
Methods and Means for Ensuring Children’s Internet Safety
1. Educate Yourself on the “What” and “How” of Internet Harm
Never underestimate the amount of information available online, especially for young people. It is crucial that you educate yourself regarding internet crimes and their various forms. This will enable you to detect cyberbullying and potentially intervene before it escalates. It will also allow you to successfully monitor your child’s social media activity via a monitoring app and know if anything is amiss.
2. Help Your Children Understand the Dark Side of the Internet
It is often hard for parents to make their children see the logic in things, especially when it comes to the internet. However, encouraging your child to see the “dark side” of the internet is crucial for preventing cyberbullying incidents. It involves openly conversing with them, pointing out the risks of using the internet, and educating them on things that can potentially harm their privacy and security.
For example, the chances of children’s personal information being compromised, their identities being stolen, or their devices being compromised is always a possibility when browsing sites that are not secure. Make sure your child knows that and is able to differentiate between safe and unsafe websites when accessing the internet.
3. Make Use of Parental Control Devices/Methods
Parental control devices or software are an excellent way to monitor and supervise your child’s online activities. They can help in learning about kids’ digital footprints without interfering with their browsing experience. These parental control solutions can be installed on the network or device using third-party software or built-in streaming options.
4. Be Open About What Is Permitted, What Is Not, and Why
In a study, around 80% of the teens agreed that there are no parental rules governing how they use the internet or that they have found a way around them. Children are inquisitive, and when you limit or restrict what they can and cannot do, they will seek answers as to why they are being restricted. It is critical to explain why these restrictions are in place so that they do not feel guarded without the need for it.
Another way to protect kids from harm is to impose strict limits on when and how they can access the internet. Parents can stay present during internet sessions and use password protection on shared computers to ensure that their children do not use the internet without supervision.
5. Take This to the Community or School for a Group Effort
Parents can approach the school administration and request that experts be brought in to help students understand the scope of cyberbullying. Schools can frequently bring in speakers who have experienced cyberbullying or are helping those who have. This is an excellent way to help children see the other side of the spectrum objectively and without feeling stringently controlled by their parents.
6. Encourage Children to Use Kid-Friendly Browsers
Alarms.org has created KidRex, a kid-safe space where children can browse the internet without fear of being harmed. Such safe spaces can be an excellent way for children to exercise their freedom while using the internet, and parents don’t need to constantly worry about their safety. Many other search engines, such as Kiddle, KidzSearch, and Kidtopia, are made available and can be a great way out for safe internet browsing.
How To Prepare for Identifying and Avoiding Threats
Keep Personal Information Safe
One of the biggest mistakes that any parent can make is being too open about where they live and sharing very personal aspects of their lives on the internet for predators to see. The best way to avoid any harm or threat is to avoid posting children’s information online, such as their pictures, where they go to school, and your address. This can serve as an excellent starting point for protecting kids in the internet era.
Notice the Subtle Changes in the Child’s Behavior
When your child is experiencing bullying, there are subtle hints that they drop, which an emotionally awake parent can easily pick up on. Kids are often afraid to share such incidents, but taking your child in confidence can be a great way to find out what is bothering them. Any sudden behavior change, such as dropping grades, being grumpy or lost, not participating in usual activities, increased phone bills, etc., should not be ignored.
Conclusion
The internet is the most important asset in today’s digital world, whether for schoolwork or staying connected with friends. But what is more important is that you use it safely. Teaching kids proper online behavior is super important. As a parent, you should keep cognizant of your child’s online activities to ensure that they feel safe and heard when they are experiencing cyberbullying or are subjected to any kind of harm on the internet.