There is no denying that technology is part of the lives of children today. Much more than that, the little ones live connected several hours a day – whether at home or at school, interactivity is constantly growing and always present.
However, this phenomenon that we are experiencing also brings one of the greatest fears of parents and guardians: the dangers of the internet. It is known that, alas, youngsters are very exposed to human beings of bad nature who can take advantage of the innocence of the little ones.
That’s why it’s important to have wit, creativity, and sensitivity to deal with the situation. Despite the care that should be taken in its use, it’s miles well worth noting that the net is not a villain, since it brings many advantages and advantages.
With a channel of dialogue that is always open and a relationship of complicity developed every day, the scenario in which children interact with the internet has everything to be positive.
8 Tips for Talking About it With a Child
To help with this delicate and so important task, here are 8 tips to address the biggest dangers of the internet and understand how to get around them! Keep reading and check it out.
1. Beware of online predators
Did you know that there are people who are hunting potential victims on the internet? So it is. They are the online predators and children are their preferred targets. They try to show the same interests as the little ones and imitate their way of communicating, with the aim of creating effective bonds. Then, they seek to know more information about their family and routine and even call them for personal meetings.
In this case, first of all, the ideal thing is that you always pay close attention to the pages that your child accesses. Explain to him that, unfortunately, many adults lie to children over the internet, with the clear intention of hurting them and their parents.
Tell true stories of cases that have already happened, but always be very careful about the words you use, ok? Your child needs to understand what predators are, but not create panic, trauma, or excessive fear. What he really needs to learn is how to get out of these situations.
2. Explain precautions when sharing photos and videos
Here’s another big problem that can be avoided if you talk to children. With the popularization of photo and video sharing applications (such as Instagram or Musical.ly, for example), the number of images of young people on the network has increased exponentially.
Since the exchange of photos and videos on the internet is very common and, for the little ones, this type of practice is stimulating and attractive, it is necessary to talk. Therefore, give an explanation for to the kid that if someone asks you for private or own family snap shots, they should be suspicious and speak to you straight away.
Also, it’s miles crucial which you provide an explanation for that there may be no motive for a person he does not recognise to invite for this type of content. Thus, he will begin to associate this request with an incorrect attitude that deserves distrust.
3. Warn about the dangers of face-to-face meetings
Perhaps this is the biggest problem among the dangers of the internet. When previous security measures have not been fully effective, your child may already be involved with a “virtual friend”, who also wants to meet in person.
It is worth reinforcing to the child that under no circumstances should he go out to meet someone you or any other adult in the family do not know. This can also be reinforced by the advice not to pay attention to strangers on the street or accept gifts from anyone the child has never seen before—let alone without the parent’s presence.
4. Restrict access to sites prohibited for minors
Free access to the internet can make children come into contact with content that is not exactly suitable for their age groups. This obviously does not only include erotic sites, aimed at an adult audience but images that can be strong or traumatic.
It’s very difficult to control this kind of aspect of the internet, especially since we don’t always have to search for something to get it shown to us. Therefore, it is very important to talk and use some tools to prevent this type of content from being shown to your child while browsing the web.
Here, it is worth including social networks, such as Facebook. Dialogue carefully so your child understands that you are not making a random restriction! The ban starts only from the real danger that exists in entering sites without the presence and monitoring of an adult.
5. Work on bullying prevention
As in colleges, the presence of bullying could be very great at the net. Perhaps, in these instances, it’s miles even more reported, way to the feel of anonymity that this type of verbal exchange brings to its customers.
Bullying is one of the major troubles inside the training of kids and teens these days, and guiding them about its outcomes is vital. This paintings need to be carried out together in a partnership among mother and father and educators and ought to begin as soon as viable.
Despite this, it’s also important to preserve children, speakme to them approximately this type of problem and showing that we will constantly be there to assist them in any scenario.
6. Closely monitor internet usage
Monitoring your child’s use of the internet is not synonymous with the invasion of privacy, but presence. Always being around while the child uses the internet and showing support are key factors in encouraging this protection.
In this case, it is important to monitor not only the child’s interaction with strangers but also with friends. Check the type of language they use, that they are not overstepping the mark in aggressiveness or sharing information.
Explain to your child that nothing on the internet can be erased and that since he will have many years to go, a problem that happens now can have negative consequences for the rest of his life.
7. Install security filters
Installation of safety filters can also be used. This type of tool prevents certain types of content from being shown to users, protecting the integrity of children and favoring a much safer environment for browsing.
Check on the devices your child uses the available security filter options. Internet browsers offer this option. In Google Chrome, just enable Safe Search, which omits inappropriate content from the search. For Internet Explorer, there is a page dedicated to the subject that explains how to deny access to adult websites.
8. Give kids entertainment options on the internet
In addition, it’s far important to discover other enjoyment options for youngsters, so that they can use the net in a greater creative way and while not having to take risks. Technology does now not need to be seen as a regular danger and can be used very creatively. How about, for example, encouraging the creation of games and applications? That way, your child is protected while they learn something constructive for their training!
Conclusion
Anyway, the dangers of the internet exist and, unfortunately, will always exist. That’s why it’s up to you to talk to your little one well and show that he can be safe by following simple and important recommendations.
