E-Safety rules your child should know
While the internet is full of wonders and information, it also has a dark side. There have been cases of cyber-bullying, scams, identity theft, blackmailing and malicious happenings on the internet. It is why you need to make sure that your child is safe when using the internet. So before you hand out any gadget to your kids, go through the list of e-safety rules that will ensure their safety.
1) Never share private information
Kids should not tell strangers where they live, passwords or the name of the school. Giving out passwords can lead to hacking, from where the hacker can access all of the sensitive data. It can be used for trolling, blackmailing and bullying online.
Forbid them to interact with strangers online as they are often impersonators who can harm you.
2) Have limited browsing time
Regulating electronic usage is the best strategy to improve security online. You can monitor how much time is spent on digital platforms and keep them secure. You must make it clear that they are not allowed to use more than the allocated time set for the user as it is bad for their eyesight and mental well-being.
3) Do not download anything from untrusted sources
There are numerous sites on the internet that can steal your data in a matter of seconds. Your child must know not to click any random links or download any malicious software in the gadget. Failure to comply will lead to personal data being public, and hackers will have access to your camera, microphone, files and browsing history. Just how scary is that!
The links often lead to phishing, which is the installation of the virus that keeps duplicating. It might lead to a corrupt hard disk and loss of data.
4) Do a privacy checkup once in a while
Creating social media profile is alright, but you should review the things your children post or the people they allow to follow. It is recommended that their account should be set private with strict privacy settings. Tell them not to post personal things or sensitive information to the general public. Hackers often target younger audiences as they can be easily manipulated. What you can do is review the things they want to post beforehand as a measure.
5) Report bullying
Make sure your child knows that your child can trust you with any issues they face online. Bullying, harassment and blackmailing are a few common problems most kids do not know how to tackle. You can ask your children about it, and if there is such a case, parents need to respond quickly.
Teach your kids how to report or block any person or content that makes them feel uncomfortable. Internet security has evolved, and stricter actions are taken against misuse.
6) Don’t let them shop online
Similarly, restrict them from buying any stuff online. Some ads are malicious and may steal credit card information. Let your kids know about scams and how to safe from them.
Final thoughts
Internet is like a sea of the ocean where good and bad both exist. If your children know the rules, then they will be safe on the internet. Parents just have to guide them on how to get the best out of it.