Children Online

 

What are the risks?

The internet is a place not safe for children, who are vulnerable to many kinds of cyber abuse. Cyber abuse includes the distribution of illegal material, social engineering attempts, and even physical threats. Because children are still developing their cognitive abilities and don't yet have the same level of discernment as adults, they can be easily tricked into believing that someone online is safe or trustworthy when in fact they may not be. This may lead to personal information being shared, or other types of abuse. The following tips can help parents keep their children safe online:

Children need to be taught about the risks associated with internet use, and they should be given the tools to protect themselves. Parents should talk with their children about these risks and show them how to use the parental controls on their computers or teach them how to set up firewalls on their devices.

There are some tips that parents and guardians can use to help their children and young people

Setting up a family plan will allow you to monitor what your children are doing online. A good idea is to sit down with your children and come up with a set of rules that everyone agrees on. The rules should be based on what your family is comfortable with, but they should include: No sharing personal information such as addresses, phone numbers, or email addresses; No sharing passwords; and Being respectful of others’ privacy.

Everyone on the internet must be treated as a stranger, even those who have become as close as they could be your friends. Keep the exact digital distance to make yourself safe from trapping.

Personal information never is given to an unknown source or site via email.

Be more careful in choosing an email name, anything to identify your gender should not be used. Provocative things should also be avoided in order to remain safe from the evil eye of the hunters.

Avoid clicking an email attachment. Always check with your parent or guardian first.

Avoid replying to an unknown email or sending any images of yourself.

If someone contacts you whom you don't know, Tell your parents, guardian, or teacher well in time. Never hesitate to do it immediately. You may not be able to discuss it later with your well-wishers or it may not be that useful then as the harm may have already been done.

Avoid responding to a threatening email or person who attempts to bait you into contact.

Never believe everything you read in an email. Phishing always comes in the form of virus hoaxes and lucrative attempts. Therefore, always be careful when dealing with such things in the online world.

Be aware of the limited-time ridiculous offers on fashion or technology or you have won $1,000,000 and never believe such rewarding news. News like this is nearly always fake enticing news to visit a site that you should not. Thus, never act blind while using the internet. The online world can be a devastating place for children. Therefore, it becomes the prime responsibility of parents to educate and make their children morally strong enough about the use of the Internet. Only then the risks to children can be avoided.