The Internet world and the big wide web have certainly become an integral part of our lives. Adults are socialising and engaging online, and our children now use the Internet extensively for schoolwork, entertainment and socialising. While we all know that the Internet makes life a lot easier and more interesting for all of us, it does, unfortunately, come with its issue – some small, some big. Some issues can be deeply concerning, especially for parents trying to navigate this ever-changing space safely for their kids. From cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, and identity theft to online grooming and game addiction, there are indeed many risks associated with the Internet. But by taking the time to be informed about the risks, taking the appropriate steps, and educating children about Internet safety, parents and caregivers can keep their families safe while enjoying the benefits of being online.
Why is Internet Security So Important?
School-aged kids (and younger) enjoy using the Internet to watch videos, play games and chat with friends and family. Life after Covid-19 has also seen an increase in children using the Internet for schoolwork and homework and keeping up those social connections they began during lockdowns. And because older students are becoming more independent online and are often using the Internet unsupervised, they are more prone to facing Internet safety risks than younger children. The risks steadily increase if the child uses the Internet to communicate with others through social media, online games or chat rooms.
It can be worrying for caregivers, but rather than avoiding Internet usage altogether, you can protect your child from potentially harmful or inappropriate content and activities by taking practical Internet safety precautions. Some simple steps will allow your child to make the most of their online experience while learning, exploring, being creative and connecting with others. The Internet is absolutely here to stay, so let’s look at the main risks involved with children using the internet, then we’ll move on to having you feel a little more empowered as we go through some steps you can take to eliminate or minimise those risks.
The four main types of risks involved with children using the Internet
1. Content
These risks include things that school-age kids may find upsetting, disgusting or otherwise uncomfortable if they encounter them accidentally, such as sexual content in games, pornography, images of animal cruelty, actual or simulated violence or simply scary images they are not ready for.
2. Contact
These dangers include children coming into contact with strangers or adults posing as children on the Internet. For example, a child may be enticed into chatting with adults posing as friends/children, be persuaded to share personal information with strangers, provide contact information after clicking on pop-up messages or meet an online friend or contact in person.
3. Conduct
Children may act in ways that could potentially harm themselves or others, r or accidentally do something that leads to significant expenditure such as children making in-app purchases unknowingly or without fully understanding the consequences.
4. Contract
Many websites, primarily gaming and social media, require users to enter details and agree to terms and conditions that most children are yet to fully understand or may not even be aware of the ramifications of such agreements. Children may be asked to click a button or link and in doing so, allowing the site to send them inappropriate marketing messages or collect personal data. Alternatively, children may use a toy, app or device with insufficient online security, leaving them vulnerable to identity theft or fraud.
So that’s the ‘bad’ news but it’s always important to be informed of the risks. The good news is, there are lots you can do to combat them.
Here are some Internet safety tips for children
1. Educate Children About Internet Safety
Educating children as early as possible about the dangers of the Internet is one of the most important things parents and caregivers can do to protect their children online. Sit down with children and show them examples of the risks of online browsing in various scenarios so they fully understand how they can occur, and how to avoid them. Educating children about online safety is a continuous process that should begin early, continue as they grow older and include refresher chats about safety as their needs and Internet usage changes and evolves.
2. Use Parental Control Software
Parental-control software can be super helpful in keeping children safe online! Parents and caregivers can easily install this software to block access to specific websites, monitor their children’s online activities and set time limits for Internet use, such as the Internet being unavailable when parents are not around to supervise or simply to limit usage if they are spending too much time online. Most Internet providers often include parental control software in their service packages and plans, so check them out!
3. Use Reliable and Safe Search Engines
Another great tool that parents can use to protect their children online is using safe search engines. These search engines filter out inappropriate content and ensure that children only see material that is meant for their age. This helps prevent children from specifically searching for inappropriate content and protects them from coming across such content by accident, which is more often the case. Adults can configure safe search settings on popular search engines like Google or use search engines specifically for children.
4. Model Appropriate Internet Use With Children
Spend some time using the Internet alongside your child or closely monitor what your child is doing online. This allows you to act quickly if something doesn’t feel right, and reassure your child if they are concerned or upset about something they have seen online. Keep devices outside of bedrooms and set them up in areas where you can easily able to keep an eye out. Show them how you personally use the Internet, and how you yourself employ safe search settings in browsers, apps and on YouTube. Ask them to limit camera and video functions to prevent them from accidentally photographing themselves, and show your child how to manage settings on zoom calls etc. It can be handy too, to check the child’s browsing history, just to give you an indication of what’s happening in their online world and where changes or tweaks may be necessary.
Most apps do have extended security settings such as switching off comments on YouTube and a quick search can help you identify these handy measures.
Last, but not least…
Trust between you and your child contributes greatly to your child’s online safety. Conversations about Internet use that are clear and open can help your child feel you trust them to be responsible online. If your children trust you, and know that they can come to you for advice, or to share mistakes or accidents online without harsh judgement, they are more likely to talk to you about online content that worries them. If you’d like to know more about safe Internet providers, click here.
