With internet dangers on the rise to an extent that even adults become victims of multiple fraudulent schemes, it’s every parent’s responsibility to teach their children about internet safety. The thing is, even if your kids use just a certain number of websites, you can’t be sure that they’re fully safe. And even if they are, all platforms are rife with malicious individuals waiting to take advantage of those who know little or nothing about their plots. Aja Chavez, Executive Director of Adolescent Services at Mission Prep Healthcare, told SafeWise, “I believe [the biggest threat to kids online is] harmful content in places that are supposed to be safe, like in gaming chats or YouTube Kids. Even cyberbullying now has gotten even uglier with deepfakes and AI-generated harassment.”
Cyberbullying, exposure to inappropriate content, online grooming, privacy and identity risks, and addiction are some of the most common consequences of unsafe internet use. Did you know that, according to the San Diego County District Attorney, more than 45 million children in the U.S. aged 10-17 use the Internet? 1 in 5, as stated in the same source, has been solicited sexually. And roughly 20% of parents provide no supervision over their children’s internet use.
The dire consequences of unsupervised use of the internet by children mean every parent and guardian must implement strong control rules and teach their children safe internet rules.
What to Teach Children About Using the Internet Safely
- Suspicious Links
According to statistics, more than 90% of successful cyber attacks begin with phishing. But what is it exactly? It’s a technique that involves the use of malicious links in emails, text messages, or DMs on social media. When a victim clicks on the link, they’re transferred to a website where they’re asked to share their personal information. Or, in some cases, they’re transferred to a website where their login credentials are stolen.
When kids don’t know about phishing, they’re very likely to click on a link, whether it’s on a gaming platform, social media website, messaging app, or online forum.
What children should know: Make sure to teach your children about the concept of phishing. Tell them that it’s dangerous to click on links from unknown sources, and that it’s always better to ask a parent or guardian to check a link.
- Cyberbullying
As reported by the World Health Organization, 1 in 6 school-aged children experience cyberbullying. It can stem from someone they know, such as a classmate or online friend. In other scenarios, cyberbullying comes from unknown individuals, even adults.
Any type of bullying, whether it’s physical or psychological, has a tremendous effect on a child. Depression, anxiety, insecurities, fear, and academic struggles are just a few consequences that children have to deal with after being cyber-bullied. As a result, they may skip school, use alcohol, and shut down emotionally from their peers and parents.
What children should know: Ask your kids if they’ve ever talked to someone mean online or if someone ever bullied them on the internet. Talk to them calmly, without negative tones, to make sure they trust you. It’s also important for children to know how to recognize cyberbullying and how to react to it.
- Personal Information
People’s personal information (PI) is an important aspect of life, one that must be protected. Here, we talk about passport details, Social Security numbers, medical information, card PINs, login credentials, and online shopping account details, just to name a few. When shared with others, it can lead to identity theft and financial losses.
Sometimes, scammers reach out to children online and ask them to share these. Some, without suspecting anything, reveal their PI or their parents’. As a result, they become victims of identity theft, which is followed by financial damages, unauthorized accounts being opened in their names, and long-term damage to parents’ credit history.
What children should know: Explain that under no circumstances should children ever reveal your or their personal details to anyone, even if it’s someone they think they know well. The second they’re asked to do this, teach them to consult you first.
- Thinking Before Posting
Unless your child has a private account with only relatives and friends as followers, it’s essential to be mindful about what they post. And even then, not every close person can be fully trusted. Kids, without knowing, may share something they’re not supposed to, such as where they go to school, their home address, daily routines, or any personal family details. This information can be taken advantage of by predators or sexual offenders, and that’s why it must be concealed and never shared online.
What children should know: Tell them not to post without talking to you first. Not every child can tell between what’s good and bad, so asking a parent or guardian for an opinion is the only way to go.
- Being Careful With Strangers
Some online strangers are kind, while others just pretend to be that. Your kid should trust no one online, no matter how nice a person seems, and especially if they ask to meet your child in person. According to SMART (Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking), 1 in 8 online offenders had an official record for contact sexual offending. Such individuals track down children online and convince them to send explicit photos or meet in person.
What children should know: As a parent, it’s your duty to teach your kids to recognize such attempts and block suspicious individuals. Talk to children in a nice, calm manner to avoid scaring them, and explain that it’s important for them to keep their guard up on the internet.
Let’s Sum Up
Phishing, cyberbullying, personal information theft, revealing too much, and suspicious individuals with malicious requests are some of the dangers kids face online. It’s every parent’s responsibility to teach their children how to avoid these threats. Being calm and sounding confident while explaining is the way to go, as children tend to absorb information better when they feel safe and supported.