Most of the kids today, if not owning, can access a smartphone, tablet, or laptop device. While technology is helpful during this pandemic, may it be for education or sanity, it can also be threatening. And no, we are not talking about viruses and hacking. Online harassment, cyberstalking, privacy invasion, and worse sexual exploitation are just some dangers that can happen in the internet world. Did you know that kids are vulnerable to these risks too?

Now that we are in the digital age, it might be vital to start talking to your kid about cyber safety. Once your kid holds the device, he/she enters an unknown world that embodies unidentified threats to the security and safety of your child. So, how can I know that my kid is being preyed online? How can I keep my children safe online from these internet hazards? Keep reading as we discuss the different risks online and provide you with advice on how you can stipulate a safe online environment for your children. 

Children are now more exposed to technology and they spend most of the time in front of their devices especially during this pandemic. But, did you know that as soon as your kid opens their gadget, they can potentially visit a prohibited website, accidentally click a pop-out notification, download an unsafe application, and chat/meet with a stranger online? In some cases, they can even give confidential details such as your address, contact details, which can be alarming. A few cases were also reported that kids can also meet someone online, asks for provocative ‘selfies’, and worse, receive flirty and sexual chat mails even while playing games in an application they have downloaded online.

It sounds scary, doesn’t it? 

Although this may not occur directly to your kid, the fact will not change that this kind of danger does exist. Of course, you should not wait for these things to happen to your child. Hence, as parents in the digital age, it is just wise to be extra cautious and gear yourself up with facts of what can happen, even if it is unnerving. Being informed is essential as it plays a part in safeguarding your children from possible jeopardies. So, how can you protect your kid from these inherent digital hazards? Scroll down for some doable parental tips to get you started!

Equip yourself with facts, and that includes the risks, no matter how daunting some of it may be. What are the potential hazards? What is an online predator and its warning signs? What happens when my kid clicks a pop out notification? Becoming aware of these potential dangers is also a way of preventing these from occurring and safeguarding your children.

Whether we like it or not, kids are most exposed to these potential hazards now more than ever. Hence, it is essential to sit down with your kid and have a conversation about cyber safety. Educate them about online predators and how to spot them, the different dangers online and what to do when it happens, how to properly behave on social media, etc. Warn them early, so they can protect themselves from it, even when you are not around.

Create some rules, make sure they understand all of it, and implement them firmly. Reiterate the practice – “Do not talk to strangers” and never share any private information to people unsupervised as these also apply even when they are online. Consider also restricting their online time and listing down the blocked websites for them. Putting in a sign in front of them or place them in their study area can help them remember.

You have to monitor their online time to protect them from these hazards. Consider setting up the computer in the common areas of your home, like the family room, living room, or near the dining area. By doing this, you can keenly check up on them as much as you can while they are in front of the screen. 

Make acquaintance with who they are chatting with and monitor their activity. Ensure that they are only speaking to family, friends, or anybody from the school relations. If somebody attempts to talk to them online, tell them to approach you right away. Educate them how to be cautious with these behaviour and show them how to block messages. Make them understand that in the digital world, people can lie about their identity (age, name, or profession) and allure people to get attention. 

Show and educate your kid on how they can keep their privacy online. You can opt to disable your location on the device or install a safe browsing anti-virus. Moreover, emphasize again not to give any private information or any other personal info, especially to people they do not know. Also, stay on top of what your kid shares on social media as online predators can possibly track you through your posts. 

You have to know your way in the computer too, mommy! Be familiar with the devices they are using, so it will be easy for you to monitor their online activities. From checking their browsing history to hiding inappropriate contents, being technologically savvy could be beneficial to keep your kid safe online! 

Is your kid looking suspiciously private about their online activity? Does your kid change screens immediately? Do they get easily irritated when you interrogate them? Lastly, is your kid all of a sudden receiving gifts or mails at home from somebody you do not know? These are some of the indicators that an online predator is prowling on your kid. Stay alert and be cautious about these warning signs. 

Involve yourself and communicate with your kid daily. Ask them how their online class went, who did they chat with, etc. From there, you can get a gist about their online experience. Be reachable for questions or anything that bothers them so you can educate and talk to your children, and prevent or fix any problems that may arise along the way. 

As a parent, you have to become a model to your children, and that also includes mirroring the appropriate online behavior. Despite the potential risks the digital world is presenting, you should not be frightened, but rather be more optimistically cautious. Be provident of the posts you are curating and sharing, and even limiting your online time. Most likely, when they see it from you, they will imitate you. We all know the digital world is here to stay for a long time, so it is essential to show your kids how to avoid these dangers.

Sources: 

AVG, What Kids Do Online May Surprise You. Internet Safety Tips for You and Your Child, July 2020

GCF Global, Staying Safe From Online Predators, N.D

eSafety Commissioner, Online Safety Basics, N.D