In today’s digital age, the Internet plays a role a major role in the lives of young peopleinfluencing how they grow up and become full-fledged adults venturing out into the real world: from educational resources to social connections, to discovering the latest viral dance trends or watching how-to videos on how to cook pasta, the online world offers endless possibilities and resources.
Gone are the days of being bored when you have a ticket to a world of entertainment in the palm of your hand. And, with approximately 20 zettabytes of data generated each year (a zettabyte is equivalent to 100 billion gigabytes, and a gigabyte is approximately the amount of data in a feature film on TV), you won’t run out of new things to explore.
Now, children and teens have access to more content than ever. And don’t they know it – the average screen time of a teenager exceeds 7 hours a day. However, while this ever-changing digital landscape can foster learning and connection, it also comes with its share of risks and challenges.
Cyberbullying, sexual predators, privacy breaches, 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 have a negative impact not only on young people’s online safety, but also on their offline lives. -be too. During these crucial years of development and growth, parents, guardians and teachers must help children and adolescents navigate the online world safely and confidently.
What are the risks to watch out for?
It seems like every day there’s a new social media platform to master or a new app to play on. These new features bring new risks, and we all need to be vigilant to safely navigate the latest additions. What may seem like an innocent new messaging app can provide plenty of opportunities for scammers, hackers, and other Internet users to take advantage of well-meaning and unaware young people.
1. Cyberbullying
While the bullying may have ended when the school bell rang, constant connectivity means the younger ones are now vulnerable to harassment, bullying and social exclusion wherever they go. Without space to feel safe, it can be extremely detrimental to their self-esteem and mental health.
2. Misuse of shared information
Social networks have grown in popularity, with the number of Instagram users expected to reach over 1.4 billion in 2024 while TikTok, which is fashionable, especially among teenagersshould reach 900 million users this year. But the risk of young people encountering malicious users and/or sharing explicit material goes hand in hand. Whether it’s a stranger on the internet or someone they know, once content is shared online, control is taken away from the sender and sensitive materials can be misused.
Take a look at ESET UK Think twice campaign to raise awareness of the risks of online privacy
3. Scams
All websites and apps require the entry of personal information to “register” or “download” content. If this personal information falls into the wrong hands, this can lead to negative consequences such as identity theft, financial exploitation, invasion of privacy and blackmail. Additionally, with the increase in phishing emails and fake websites, bad actors have more ways to attack.
4. Explicit exposure of content
Research shows that the the average age a child is exposed to pornography is 13. So early exposure to graphic and sensitive content can create unrealistic expectations and unhealthy behaviors.
5. Internet Addiction
Nomophobia – the fear of being left without online connectivity – has a huge impact 90% of device owners! THE dangers of nomophobia include lack of quality sleep, social isolation, and a reduced attention span – all of which are not what young people need when trying to succeed in school and maintain a happy home life while by staying in good mental and physical health.
6. Misinformation
It has been shown that the youngest are they trust what they see online more and may be more receptive to false or misleading information. This can potentially influence their beliefs and perspectives in ways that will negatively impact their relationships, values, and daily lives.
What can parents and guardians do?
It is essential to remember that all is not doom and gloom. The online space offers a world of opportunity, and parents and guardians simply need the tools and confidence to openly discuss their online experiences with their children.
Although it may be difficult to decide when to give access to children to their own digital devices, studies show that the average age at which children get their first smartphone is 11 years old. At this age, young people are still discovering who they are and their place in the world. This makes it even more important for a parent or guardian to have open discussions about online safety. Here’s why:
1. Give young people knowledge
Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to navigating the complexities of the online world. It’s a great idea to make sure kids know the apps and features available on these devices before getting them.
For example, when your kids see you using your phone after dinner, maybe talk to them about what you’re doing and why. Show them the different apps you have, what they do, and how you use them. If you’re open with them about what you do, they’ll be more likely to be open with you about their own online habits.
Are there any age-sensitive apps you don’t want them to see? Don’t forget to place them in a “hidden application” or “secure folder”, which you can only enter with a password.
2. Help them overcome 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 potential risks and equip them with strategies to navigate them safely:
- Teach children to critically evaluate online information and make conscious decisions about whether it is real or fake.
- Show them how to recognize and report cyberbullying
- Explore the tools they can use to protect their personal information, such as two-factor authentication and one password manager and, if necessary, help them configure them correctly
Chances are, younger children are more interested in games they can play on their devices. If so, you can show them some of the most popular ones and be clear about what is safe and what is a malicious pop-up that could accidentally end up charging you a small fortune (no, you don’t have to no need to pay $60 for more parts on Forest Island).
3. Encourage healthy online habits
Just as we teach children the importance of healthy eating and exercise, it is crucial to instill healthy habits online from a young age.
Before you jump straight into letting your kids enjoy complete freedom in the digital space, take the opportunity to set limits around screen time, set guidelines for responsible social media use, and encourage detoxes digital to maintain a healthy balance between online and offline activities. By modeling healthy digital behavior yourself and discussing its importance, you can help your children develop lasting habits that promote well-being in the digital age.
To help maintain these habits, parental control Features available on devices and internet browsers allow you to filter content, monitor your child’s online activity and set restrictions if necessary.
4. Stay Ahead of Emerging Risks
The digital landscape is constantly evolving, with new applications, trends and online threats regularly emerging. Talk to children about the latest fashions and online risks to keep them aware that not all apps, web users or social platforms are exactly what they seem. Create a safe space for them to ask questions about their own lives online and make sure they feel heard. This way, they will feel reassured and encouraged to come to you if they are upset about something they discovered online.
So, open the chocolate cupboard and put the kettle on – make it a fun and interesting conversation where everyone can learn more about what’s going on in each other’s lives online, encouraging online safety while strengthening your bonds offline.