It is a given that all parents want to bring up their children in the best possible way and ensuring they are safe from any harm or danger. In a world which is intricately woven around digital technology, the parents cannot isolate them from the world around them but can certainly ensure that they are safe from any looming dangers of it. Its is necessary for parents to follow certain precautions to ensure children’s full protection from cyber threats.
Each and every household is full of digital devices which are connected to the internet- some are shared while others are personal. Children growing up amidst this consider it as a normal part of their everyday lives. They switch between devices, applications and media throughout the day without even noticing. Usage of these news applications and technology trends continuously influence their behavior and the ways in which we think.
Nowadays, for the children growing up in this environment there is no difference between ‘life’ and ‘digital life’, as parents they have to embrace this rather than ignoring this. It also knowable that advancements in digital technology and applications also bringing many unknown cyber threats. Children protection and safety from cyber threats also depends on their activities and online behavior.
The internet can be a dangerous place for the unwary children. A person’s digital footprints are easy to follow and trace therefore parents need to be extra cautious of keeping their children safe by keeping a tab on their online activities as they could fall prey to cyber attacks, bullying and stalking without even realizing. Since there is no substitute to parental supervision therefore parents should keep an active eye on what their child does online.
Many children believe that internet browsing is anonymous, parents should be able to educate their children on the permanence of their digital footprint. Whenever they visit a website, share content, post something on a site or blog or update information on themselves including their pictures, they are gradually building their digital footprint which can be misused without their knowledge or consent.
Besides this social networking websites which are hugely popular amongst young adults, teenagers and children are a platform to befriend people across any geography, this should be actively monitored by parents who their children’s friend is online and what they share with them through the medium.
It should be ensured that the children check with their parents before they fill any sort of forms online, as parents they should emphasize the importance of never sharing personal information online. A safety software should be installed on the main computer and connecting devices to restrict the children’s online activities to approved websites.
The need of the hour is for parents to keep an eye and monitor their children’s internet activities and train them to acknowledge right and wrong. As parents one should be ready to teach their children strategies to protect themselves online and report immediately any unwelcome contact or activity they may come across online.
