These online safety tips will help to keep your kids safe

Last updated on 5th January, 2024 at 01:43 pm

Make sure that your kids are always protected when using the internet with these online safety tips.

We are living in the digital era, with the internet now fully entrenched in our daily lives, from how we communicate to how we entertain ourselves. But despite all the positive aspects of being connected, there are still risks when it comes to accessing the world wide web. And this is especially true when it comes to our children. This is why having online safety protocols in place is crucial for any parent.

Research conducted by global cybersecurity company Kaspersky revealed that 64% of parents worldwide think that their kids spend too much time online, and 84% were worried about their safety when browsing the internet. And perhaps they should be.

Are your kids safe online?

According to the 2019 Microsoft Digital Civility Index (DCI), South Africans are some of the most at-risk for exposure to negative online behaviour. This includes scamming, harassment and cyberbullying. A 2018 study by DQ Institute in association with the World Economic Forum revealed that 18% of South African children have engaged in sexual behaviour online, making them some of the world’s most vulnerable.

Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, remote learning has meant that kids are spending even more time on the internet. UNICEF says that over 1.5 billion children and young people have had to resort to e-learning since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. And more time online means increased risk of exposure.

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Paul Esterhuizen, CEO of Safer Internet SA, School-Days® and Safer Schools, says that parents need to be involved when it comes to their children’s online usage. “As parents, we have to be aware of the cognitive flexibility kids have when it comes to technology,” he says. “They have been exposed to it from a young age and are almost addicted to being connected. This is why being involved with what your children are doing online is so important.”

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Protecting your personal data

Our phones and computers are always gathering and storing our information. This can be useful in streamlining your life. But if data such as your passwords or address is leaked, it could be a cause for concern. “AI and machine learning are innovating at a rapid rate. As such, kids need to be aware of behavioural targeting, and be careful with what they are sharing,” says Esterhuizen. “Once they are clued up on the dangers, a child can make more cautious and informed decisions because they know what the potential dangers are.”

Assessing age-appropriateness

“The appropriateness of what we look at is subjective, and differs between generations,” says Esterhuizen. It also changes over time. Director of Standing Together to Oppose Pornography (S.T.O.P.), Clive Human, told IOL that the average age children are exposed to pornography has dropped from 12 to just eight. “A parent will instinctively know what is age-appropriate. It all just boils down to being aware of their online activity,” says Esterhuizen.

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Encourage an open dialogue

Instead of having to broach these kinds of topics when they arise, foster an environment conducive to open dialogue. “It’s very easy for our kids’ internet habits to become covert and hidden if they feel they will be scrutinised or banned,” says Esterhuizen. This is why both children and parents need to be open to discussing what they are watching and doing on the internet. “Parents not only need to remain involved, but their children need to want to keep them involved,” he says. “In this way, hopefully, they will be comfortable reaching out if they feel threatened or violated online.”

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