Internet Use- Good & Bad for Kids to be taught
Smartphones have saturated the market, and the availability of cheap internet has resulted in a fourfold rise in the use of smart devices.
Although parents are becoming more relaxed with their children using modern technologies, there has been a rise in the use of social media, with Facebook leading the list. The fact that India has the most Facebook users in the world (October 2018 data) shows this.
Children account for one out of every three internet users worldwide, making them highly vulnerable to the dangers lurking in the dark corners of the internet. The dark web is a huge source of worry. Unprotected social media accounts, child sexual exploitation blogs, and online gaming forums are all hotbeds for anonymous perpetrators. About 81 percent of Indian children aged 8 to 16 are involved on social media sites, with 22 percent of them being harassed online. Children's online protection is more critical than ever in a world where 900 million users can use the internet by 2022.
Parents' primary challenges in restricting and regulating their children's Internet access are to find the best ways to restrict and monitor their access. At best, the internet is a wonderful source of learning for kids; at worst, it can have a negative effect on their mental wellbeing by exposing them to harmful content. Let's take a look at what the Internet has to offer in terms of the good, bad, and threatening.
The good: An excellent source of knowledge and skills.
The bad: wasting time by using social media, messaging applications, and surfing excessively.
The threatening: Internet hoaxes, cybercrime, cyberbullying, cyberstalking, and other forms of cybercrime.
Online child safety is difficult to address in a single article because there are so many different things to consider, but our main aim is to illustrate the most useful tips parents can use to keep their children healthy when browsing the internet. It's a good idea to discuss your children's internet use with them. Encourage a balanced dialogue in which they tell you about their activities on a regular basis.
1. Teach your children about cybersecurity and online risks - People want their children to use the Internet to learn and have experience, but you also want them to stay secure. To do so, you must explain online threats and how to notice them in clear and kid-friendly terms.
Teach your kids to be cautious when using social media sites. While it may be appealing for teenagers to brag about their photos and check-ins on social media, caution them that excessive use of social media can interfere with their studies because it is addictive.
Nothing is truly private once it has been uploaded to the internet. Kids must realise that if they do not want the world to know about anything, they must keep it private.
2. Children should seek permission - Before signing up for Facebook, get permission from an adult, and don't be afraid to ask questions about anything – from changing your profile picture to adding friends to the basics of privacy settings. Everything you share on the internet is permanent; even if you delete it and someone else shares it or screenshots it, it will still exist.
3. Set Internet use restrictions and special rules for your children - The most valuable lesson you can teach your children as a cyber-savvy parent is to consider the difference between the positive and bad sides of the Internet. If you find your child is becoming addicted to staying up all night to use the Internet, it might be time to set Internet access limits and time limits. Make sure you tell them exactly how much time they should spend on their computer.
4. Passwords Should Be Kept Secure - Teach your children to stop using passwords that are easily guessable. They can create a strong password with a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters that is updated on a regular basis. A secure online experience starts with a strong password. Keep them up to date and add several layers of privacy checks to ensure you're not an easy target for the Digi Sharks.
5. Track your child's online activities with parental control software - An educated parent is one who is well-versed in the benefits and drawbacks of not only the internet, but any technology that your children can use. Apps for parental control may be useful. They're a perfect way to keep tabs on your kids' online behaviours and watch what they do with their smartphones and other devices.
6. Saying ‘No' is essential at certain events - The aim is to protect children from the hazards and risks that come with using any technology. While the internet can often promote disrespectful actions, children must realise that they can never say anything online that they would not say in person. Cyberbullying is a risky business. If you assume that a friend's upload or check-in involves you and is inappropriate or causing negative publicity, speak up. Cyberbullying and a lack of access to age-inappropriate content is a big problem that many children face. When it comes to material vigilance, parents must be diligent.
7. Secure your wireless network at home- The first step in better securing your home wireless network from prying eyes is to build a strong and unique password that prevents neighbours or other people from accessing your personal information. Installing a good antivirus solution from a trustworthy company that includes a real-time scanning engine, firewall, and automatic update is a good idea. Another Internet safety advice that every parent can adopt is this one. Make sure your child's Windows operating system, as well as browsers, plugins, and web applications, have all the new and usable security patches enabled. These updates include both security and feature fixes, and they're intended to repair or upgrade the programme you're using. Teach kids to not open emails or click/download attachments from strangers or suspicious sources. It may be a phishing email intended to trick recipients into installing malicious software on their computers.
8. Report, Delete, Block - We need to educate kids about cyber threats that place their online safety in jeopardy. However, we must also "preach" online security against malware threats and phishing attempts, which normally target the uninitiated or uneducated. Teach your child how to use Facebook's block and report functionality. It can be used if a piece of content (such as a photo or a status update) draws negative or unwanted attention.
Additionally, regularly check whether your children have been abused online; do not leave them to suffer in silence. There are rights in place to protect you and your children from harm. Take screenshots or report the individual to the website's team, then alert the Cyber Crime Cell, which has very powerful processes for resolving specific concerns and contacting the offender directly. It is more important than ever for parents to teach their children how to make the most of the internet while avoiding its many pitfalls.