Is your child safe while using the internet? Have you taken any precautions to keep them safe?
The Internet can be a better place for kids to learn, communicate with others, and have fun. But, on the other hand, it can also be dangerous if kids don’t have the proper supervision of parents when using the internet.
Parenting is all about making sure the child is safe. But unfortunately, most parents fail to protect their children’s online activity when it comes to internet usage. Therefore, as parents, you need to be concerned about the safety of your children online. But how? Just keep reading!
This blog will provide you with some tips on keeping your child safe while using the internet. So, without further ado, let’s dig into the blog.
Why do children need to be safe on the Internet?
Children may face a variety of threats in the online world. For example, they may encounter inappropriate content, cyberbullying, cyber harassment, etc., when using Online Medium. Of course, this does not mean that your child will face all these hazards. However, it can be a wise decision to keep your children under your protection, mainly if they are online.
To help you, we have compiled a list of online risks that kids could face. Beware!
Internet dangers kids face:
Cyberbullying
Bullies are everywhere, and technology gives them another platform. Cyberbullying refers to threats or harassment that a person does to another person through an online resource in the digital era. This can be done either directly (by text or comment) or indirectly (by impersonating someone). No matter what form of bullying a child experiences, it has emotional consequences. So, as parents, you must take all necessary measures to prevent them from being victimized by cyberbullying.
A few of the places where children can be cyberbullied are:
- SMS
- Instant Messaging (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter)
- Emails
- Game Chats
- Forums
Irrelevant Content
Various types of content exist online, including irrelevant content that children shouldn’t view. Some kids, however, might be curious and try to find such content. Even if your child has no intention of looking at inappropriate content, they may do so accidentally. Because all websites have advertisements, some are not appropriate for young children.
There is no need to stress yourself. The good news is that you can take immediate action to keep your child from seeing such content. The first thing you need to do is check your children’s online browsing history. Furthermore, you can use parental control software to block those types of content automatically. Take control and protect your child.
Ransomware
A child can easily be a victim of a ransomware attack as it is one of the most common cyberattacks. On the Internet, hackers are innumerable. By using malware, they gain control of your computer or digital device and threaten or block access to your own files until a ransom is paid. Such threats may easily scare kids. Therefore, take precautions.
Summary:
These dangers are only a few. There are many other risks kids face online. So, before things go beyond your control, make sure your child is safe when online.
Tips to safeguard your child while on the internet
1. Have an open conversation with your child
One of the key aspects of knowing your kids’ online safety is communicating with them. Therefore, whenever your child surfs the internet, you should talk to them and know what they are reading or watching. It will also be helpful if you ask them what websites they visit or what apps they use. By doing this, you can protect your child from being directed to a malicious website.
2. Not to speak with strangers
Whether it’s through social media or online multiplayer games, children will come in contact with strangers at some point. Chat rooms, games, comments, and private messages can also pose cyber threats to children. For instance, a hacker or a person can hide behind an avatar to trick your child and steal your identity and money through phishing. Therefore, it is wise not to allow your child to talk to strangers online.
3. Set Ground Rules
When you give your child a computer or any digital device, you should discuss what they are allowed to do and what they are not allowed to do.
Example: Limit screen time. When kids’ online time isn’t idle, they are more likely to wander into undesirable corners of the web. Therefore, parents should limit their kids’ screen time.
4. Block or Report Cyber Bullying
As we mentioned previously, through online games and social media platforms, kids can easily be harassed or bullied by others.
Parents can’t be around their children all the time. Hence, it is not always easy to monitor your children’s activities while they play online. Therefore, if someone’s actions make your kids uncomfortable while playing or chatting, ask them to let you know immediately. By doing so, you can block or report them.
5. Teach children how to take quick action
It might be difficult for some parents to stick with their children. Hence, children need to protect themselves in these situations. If your kids are older, they may know more about the internet than you do. But, if your children are young, you should teach them how to protect their privacy, to report inappropriate sites or people and how to block those sites.
6. Internet Security
On your digital device, use antispyware, firewall, and other internet safety programs to keep your child safe when they are online. This will minimize the risks associated with being online.
Moreover, many internet service providers offer parental control options to keep kids safe online. So, make sure the parental controls and other filters on your computer or mobile device are enabled.
Wrapping Up
Every kid and adult is online a lot more than usual because of covid-19. The risks associated with online activities are higher if their parents do not supervise them. So as parents, you should stay aware of what apps your child is using, what games they are playing, who they are chatting with. This will ensure that kids remain safe on the Internet.
Stay Alert & Let Your Kid “Rule the Internet with Your Rules!”
