In the internet world, our children can explore, learn, and interact, but there are also predators and illicit activities.
Parents must be aware of online hazards to protect their families.
“One of the biggest obstacles to keeping kids safe online is ignorance on the part of their parents,”. Dan Thornton, CEO of GoldPhish and a cybersecurity specialist, says many parents give their kids social media accounts without understanding how they work.
Some parents don’t realize their kids can speak with strangers in online games. Some parents don’t know that children can buy drugs online, or they don’t think their children would view pornographic or suicidal content.
As a result, their child may become a victim or perpetrator of cybercrime, adds Thornton.
79% of 12-15-year-old internet users experienced at least one detrimental encounter in a year, according to Ofcom.
“We teach, mentor, and role-model for our kids so they can achieve and positively impact the world. We teach kids how to stay safe and not hurt others.
This important parenting duty must consider the evolving digital landscape. Children today live in physical and digital worlds. Thornton says this requires parents to make sure their kids are tech-savvy and employ the latest cybersecurity technologies to keep families safe.
Parents can become tech-savvy in three steps.
In terms of your child’s safety, ignorance is not bliss. Recognize their favorite websites, apps, and games. Understand the risks to kids and how these sites work. Don’t let kids create social media accounts, and make sure they only play age-appropriate games.
Open, trusted communication is key to keeping your child safe online.
As in real life, be their first line of defense online. Explain the risks and symptoms. Tell them to share their problems with you. Tell them the importance of keeping their personal information secure, including your credit card number. Discuss cyber safety risks with your family.
Use the latest cybersecurity measures; parental control software can’t eradicate all internet hazards.
AI-driven apps can inform parents of potentially risky child online activities across many devices. The ecology of family cybersecurity is always developing. This allows the parent to initiate dialogues and take actions to keep their child safe online.
