In today’s digital age, the Internet plays an important role in the lives of young people, influencing how they continue to grow and develop into full-fledged adults venturing into the real world: from educational resources to social connections, discovering the latest viral dance trends , or Watching instructional videos on how to cook pasta, the online world offers endless possibilities and resources.
Gone are the days of feeling bored when you have a ticket to a world of entertainment in the palm of your hand. And with around 20 zettabytes of data generated every year (one zettabyte is the equivalent of 100 billion gigabytes, and a gigabyte is approximately the amount of data in a feature film on television), there is no risk that there will ever be no more new things to discover.
Now kids and teens have access to more content than ever before. And they don’t know it – with an average screen time of more than no fewer than teenagers 7 hours a day. While this ever-evolving digital landscape can support learning and connection, it also poses a host of risks and challenges.
Cyberbullying, sexual predators, privacy invasions, malware, as well as phishing and other scams – all caused at least in part by ineffective or non-existent privacy and cybersecurity awareness and precautions – can not only have a detrimental impact on the online safety of young people, but also on their offline well-being. -also be. During these crucial years of development and growth, parents, guardians, and teachers must help children and teens navigate the online world safely and with confidence.
What risks should you pay attention to?
It seems like every day there’s a new social media platform to get started with, or a new app to play with. With these new features come new risks, and we all need to be vigilant in safely navigating the latest additions. What may seem like a harmless new messaging app could provide plenty of opportunities for scammers, hackers and other internet users to take advantage of well-intentioned and unaware young people.
1. Cyberbullying
While bullying has previously ended when the school bell rings, the constant connectivity means that young people are now vulnerable to harassment, intimidation and social exclusion wherever they go. Not having a space to feel safe can be extremely damaging to their self-esteem and mental health.
2. Misuse of Shared Information
Social media has gained popularity, with the number of Instagram users are expected to reach over 1.4 billion users by 2024 while TikTok, a craze popular mainly among teenagers, is expected to reach 900 million users this year. But the risk that young people encounter malicious users and/or share explicit material goes hand in hand. Whether it’s a stranger from the internet or someone they know, once content is shared online, control is taken away from the sender and sensitive material can be misused.
Take a look at the one from ESET UK Think twice campaign to raise awareness of the risks of online intimacy
3. Scam
websites and apps require the input of personal information to ‘subscribe’ or ‘download’ content. If this personal information gets into the wrong hands, it can have negative consequences such as identity theft, financial exploitation, invasion of privacy and blackmail. Furthermore, with the increase in phishing emails and fake websites, malicious actors have even more opportunities to attack.
4. Explicit exposure to content
Research shows that the the average age at which a child is exposed to pornography is 13 years old. As early as exposure to graphic and sensitive content can create unrealistic expectations and unhealthy behavior.
5. Internet addiction
Nomophobia – the fear of being without online connectivity – has a huge impact 90% of device owners! The dangers of nomophobia include a lack of quality sleep, social isolation and a reduced attention span – not what younger people need if they want to achieve in school and maintain a happy family life while staying mentally and physically healthy.
6. Wrong information
Younger people appear to be more confidence in what they view online and perhaps be more receptive to it false or misleading information. This can potentially influence their beliefs and perspectives in ways that negatively impact their relationships, values, and daily lives.
What can parents and guardians do?
It’s important to remember that it’s not all doom and gloom. The online space offers a world of possibilities, and parents and guardians just need the tools and confidence to talk openly with their children about their online experiences.
Although it can be difficult to decide when children should be given access Research shows that the average age at which children receive their first smartphone is high 11 years old. At this age, young people are still discovering who they are and their place in the world, so it’s even more important that a parent or guardian has open discussions about online safety. This is why:
1. Give young people knowledge
Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to navigating the complexities of the online world. It’s a good idea to make sure kids are familiar with the apps and features available on these devices before purchasing one for themselves.
For example, if your kids see you using your phone after dinner, you might want to tell them what you’re doing and why. Show them the different apps you have, what they do and how to use them. If you’re open with them about what you do, they’re more likely to be open with you about their own online habits.
Are there age-sensitive apps you don’t want them to see? It’s worth putting them in a ‘hidden app’ folder or ‘secure folder’, which you can only open with a password.
2. Support them in navigating digital pitfalls
The internet can be a minefield of inappropriate content, cyberbullying, scams and identity theft – and it’s not always clear what’s safe and what’s not.
Engage in open conversations to educate your children about the potential risks and equip them with strategies to deal with them safely:
- Teach children how to critically evaluate information online and make conscious decisions about whether it is real or fake
- Show them how to recognize and report cyberbullying
- Walk through the tools they can use to protect their personal information, such as two-factor authentication and a password manager, and help them set them up correctly if necessary
Chances are that younger children are most interested in the games they can play on their devices. If so, you can show them some of the most popular ones and clarify what is safe and what is a malicious pop-up that could accidentally charge you a small fortune (no, you don’t have to shell out $60). pay for more coins Forest island).
3. Encourage healthy online habits
Just as we teach children the importance of healthy eating and exercise, it is crucial to develop healthy online habits from an early age.
Before you immediately give your children complete freedom in the digital space, take the opportunity to set boundaries around screen time, establish guidelines for responsible social media use, and encourage digital detoxes to maintain a healthy maintain a balance between online and offline activities. By modeling healthy digital behavior yourself and discussing its importance, you can help your children develop lifelong habits that promote well-being in the digital age.
To maintain these habits, parental control features available on devices and Internet browsers allow you to filter content, monitor your child’s online activities, and set restrictions as necessary.
4. Stay ahead of emerging risks
The digital landscape is constantly evolving, with new apps, trends and online threats emerging regularly. Talk to kids about the latest online fads and risks to make them aware that not every app, web user or social platform is exactly what it seems. Create a safe space where they can ask questions about their own online lives and make sure they feel heard. That way, if they’re upset about something they’ve come across online, they’ll feel reassured and encouraged to come to you.
So open the chocolate cupboard and put the kettle on – make it a fun and interesting conversation where everyone can learn about what’s happening in each other’s lives online, promoting safety online and strengthening your bond offline.
