Especially with COVID-19 still raging around the world, the Internet is everything. The Internet is the foundation for how we shop, work, learn, and even socialize. These days, access to the Internet is as essential as electricity or running water
.
Perhaps even more so since everyone is confined to their homes.
Unfortunately, as you are well aware, the Internet is not always a safe place. And with everyone spending more and more time online, the Internet is more dangerous than ever. It has become a playground for cybercriminals
If you've read this series so far, you already know how to protect yourself. You understand how to spot red flags for fraud and cheating, you know the importance of mindfulness, and you've locked down your networks and devices whenever possible. But do your children have the same knowledge?
In other words, your children have more to worry about than hackers and malware. As reported by the Houston Chronicle, digital predators are more active than ever during the pandemic. The fact that everyone is staying home has created the perfect storm for them.
They spend more time stalking the web because they are either unemployed or telecommuting. Children and teens are spending more time online out of necessity. And if you think this can't (or won't) happen to you, you're simply not paying attention.
According to a survey collected by URL filtering service Puresight, one in five U.S. teens has received an unwanted online invitation. Worse, 75% of children willingly share personal information about themselves and their families in exchange for goods and services. As for the statistics, they are right on the money.
But what exactly can be done about this? Overreacting and becoming a helicopter parent will most likely result in the opposite of what you are trying to accomplish. The child will stop trusting you, may try to find ways around your rules, and may even resent you.
Of course, this is not to say that you can't keep your kids safe online.
Be upfront, honest, and truthful with your children about what content (and people) they might encounter online. Teach them the importance of mindfulness and how to recognize potential scams.
In other words, teach them exactly the same things you have learned throughout this series. But we should go one step further. Have a serious discussion with them about the importance of setting healthy boundaries with friends and acquaintances, both online and offline.
And talk to them about the danger signals of online predatory behavior:
When you talk about this kind of thing with your children, don't dodge the subject. Treat them with dignity and respect. Explain not only what to look for and what to do, but also why.
"Because I said so" is not a reason.
When you look at online malfeasance, you may be tempted to track and monitor every single thing your child does on the web. For younger children, this may be an acceptable approach. However, as your child gets older, he or she will realize that you are constantly looking over his or her shoulder.
They will realize that they have no freedom or privacy. And they will try to find ways to escape your prying eyes. In other words, by trying to record everything they do, you will end up doing the opposite of protecting them.
Instead of trying to control their online behavior, spend time with them. Give them instructions on how to lock down their social media privacy settings. Find games to play together or shows to watch together.
But most importantly, it gives them time to explore themselves online and be who they are, without your influence. This freedom means that rather than being afraid to talk to you about what is troubling them, they will approach you willingly. This may seem counterintuitive, but ask yourself.
The simple answer is.
Many parenting blogs detail how children's screen time should be regulated and controlled, and that there should be a strict framework for when and how they are allowed to connect to the Internet. This is an absolute disaster, especially now.
It is one thing to say that children should not be allowed to play video games until they have finished their homework. It is quite another to set a regular schedule for device use. Again, the key word here is "freedom."
Show your child that you trust them to be responsible while they are online and help them understand that strict rules about screen time are not the right direction right now.
Wait a minute. Didn't we just state in this article that we should not monitor our children's behavior and actions when they are online? We could have spent an inordinate amount of time explaining the importance of online privacy.
Yes. But there are limits to it. If your child is a teenager or young adult in his or her teens or twenties, leave the online use to the child himself or herself. Talk it over with your child and trust that he or she will use his or her best judgment.
And if their judgment doesn't work, trust that you have installed good antivirus software to keep their data and devices safe.
When it comes to young children, parental controls are your friend. The ability to filter out undesirable or dangerous content is an important component of online safety. And while we don't recommend overdoing it, it's not a bad idea to occasionally monitor your little ones when they are online.
This is where Bitdefender comes in: with Bitdefender Total Security 2020, you get a complete suite of anti-malware, threat detection, threat prevention, and digital privacy tools. The platform's parental controls help provide online safety for children by blocking inappropriate content and monitoring for potential criminals.
With the purchase of a Bitdefender Family Pack, up to 15 devices per household can be proactively protected, allowing families to address whatever threats they encounter online. In addition, Bitdefender is currently running a huge sale on this package, offering 63% off for the first year.
With that, this series of articles has finally reached its final installment. It's been a wild ride. Hopefully by now you have a better understanding of the web and how to keep yourself and your family safe. So, see you in the New Year.
.
Comments