Many parents and guardians are unaware of all the resources that help keep children and teens safe on the Internet
That the excessive and unlimited use of the Internet by children and adolescents it can be dangerous is nothing new. In addition to the damage linked to screen addiction in general, the Internet presents risks due to the presence of malicious people who can contact young people and children through this medium.
“Just as we teach our children not to talk to strangers on the street, we now have to teach them how to behave on the internet. Currently parents and guardians have to work on digital literacy, supervising activities and teaching market dynamics”, comments Brother Valdir Gugiel, director of the Marist Center for the Defense of Children and member of the State Council for the Rights of Children and Adolescents of Santa Catarina
But how to do it? Below, see 4 tips for protect children and teenagers on the Internet:
Perform parental monitoring and control
According to research by TIC Kids Online Brasil, 98% of children and adolescents access the Internet via mobile phone. Therefore, it is important to have some control over these devices.
Clemilson Graciano da Silva, a protection specialist at Marista Brasil, recommends that social networks be allowed only for ages 13 and up and that parents use “parental controls.” This tool, present on many devices, has functionality to filter applications or determine who can contact the child or teenager.
Even though these features are present on most devices, many parents still don’t use them. In addition to starting to use them, you should also keep an eye on the age guidelines of any games or applications your child downloads.
Be careful of offensive situations
Three out of ten children and adolescents have experienced offensive situations on the Internet that they did not like or that upset them. If there is no action on the part of the person responsible, Bárbara Pimpão, director of the Marist Center for the Defense of Children, explains that some cases can evolve into cyberbullying.
“Children and adolescents who are repeatedly exposed to messages intended to scare, embarrass or anger may suffer psychological, physical and social consequences, such as low self-esteem, depression, anxiety disorders and insomnia,” he comments.
Therefore, it is essential to create a channel of contact with a trusted adult so that these attacks reach those responsible and they can take action. This can be done by reporting the user, blocking contact, and in some cases, even calling the authorities.
It is worth mentioning that it is also essential to guide your child not to cyberbully other children.
Explain the dangers of contact with strangers
Explain, in a way that the child or adolescent can understand, the dangers of contacting strangers on the Internet. Ask them not to give out personal information to people they don’t know, send photos or turn on their cameras, or accept invitations to social networks or games.
Also make it clear that if someone asks the child to do this, they must let you know, so that you can report the user. Another good recommendation for children and teenagers is to use nicknames in games that do not reveal their real names.
Let’s talk about excessive use of the Internet
Nearly a quarter (24%) of children and adolescents who participated in the TIC Kids Online Brasil survey reported that they would like to spend less time online, but cannot.
The survey also revealed that 22% of those interviewed found themselves surfing the Internet without being really interested in anything. And 22% of children and teenagers said they spent too much time browsing and that this prevented them from doing homework or spending more time with family and friends. Bárbara emphasizes that, as in cases of online violence, raising awareness is the best solution.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
