Eight tips parents can teach their kids about Cyber security
Eight tips parents can teach their kids about Cyber security
Being surrounded by the bombardment of information in today’s world, we often forget about the influence it is creating on our lives. The Internet, a blessing in the modern era, has not only changed our lives for the better but has also put a high risk on the well-being of our families. As parents, we must not shy away from talking to our children about the threats of the online world and how they need to be protected from the harmful effects of the digital age.
Cyber security has become the talk of the town due to the exposure of information and content in our daily lives. Cybersecurity refers to the practice of protecting our computers and devices from malicious acts especially if it is in terms of our children’s well-being.
Keeping in view the current trend of cyber hacks and frauds, we must know about the updated facts and figures on this matter which will inform us about the seriousness of this matter. According to research done by Kaspersky, 73 percent of teenagers cannot function without a smartphone, and around half of them use their phones in bed as well. 40 percent of children reveal confidential information online including their home addresses. When it comes to online scams, almost 37 percent of kids have experienced online dangers, bullying, financial threats, and inappropriate content.
Educating yourself :
Parents nowadays usually belong to a generation of the 90s where there was no tremendous use of technology. It has become the key element for the parents to go online by reading recent articles on ways of minimizing the effects of cybercriminals on their children’s health.
Dealing with the danger comes with a handful of awareness.Here are some of the ways which are important in teaching our kids about cyber security.
Talking through stories and visuals :
Kids at such a tender age don’t have the concept of giving consent or how to remain aware of their surroundings. The teaching should start at home by reading out stories that have characters doing fraud and children must watch videos regarding cyber security with the help of improvised visuals. Their visual memory will make them remember the incident and ultimately they will reach out to you if any inconvenience happens during their online experience.
8 things to teach about cybersecurity :
Strong passwords
As kids are usually growing up, they get infatuated with setting their birthday month as a password which will lead to personal information being exposed on the internet. So we must encourage our kids about creating strong passwords with 2-factor authentication.
Reporting a problem to an adult
Kids are susceptible to fear and danger due to changing circumstances around them. Developing the right kind of environment for our children will help them grow out of their comfort zone and they will explore the new horizons of the world within the boundaries of their safety. The children need to know that even if they mess up something, they will always have your back. A lot of times they will make mistakes while breaking the rules you have set and they end up getting catfished during this. Things like cyberbullying and harassment are very real and they should not be ignored. Let them know that you will be concerned about their safety no matter what happens.
Be on the lookout for scams :
We must educate our children about phishing techniques, which include sending suspicious messages and voice calls. By keeping them aware of these potential threats which appear now and then, they will be more conscious while using the internet. By encouraging your child not to click on a suspicious link, you can protect them from scammers.
Beware of free Wi–Fi connection :
The internet connections in the hotels and cafes might be attractive for being free but as these networks are used by a large number of audiences there is a chance they might not be well protected. So teaching the kid about not connecting to free Wi-Fi can safeguard their data.
Using helpful tools :
Online security can be challenging for adults and children but making some changes can save you from further harm. You should ensure the installation of such tools:
Antivirus: By running in the background, the antivirus protects the device from Trojans, spyware, and ransomware. The computer on receiving a threat will get notified of the danger.
Content blockers: It is the best way of avoiding hackers. The content blockers will prevent the kids from accessing the poor content permanently.
Online shopping and personal information :
Credit card information while shopping online can lead us to various scams. So advise your kid about not storing credit card information while they shop online from their favorite stores.
Social media bullies
The Internet is best to use when we use it responsibly. Online bullying is trending due to certain malicious people. These kinds of activities can have a long-term psychological impact on children. You can advise them not to post mean and rude comments while surfing. This behavior can make them conscious of their digital use and how they interact with strangers on social media.
Setting up internet rules
As the internet is a vast place, you cannot have a check on your children all the time. You need to sit with your kid and talk about the time limit you have set. Accessing a computer without an adult’s consent must be discouraged. Screen time for more than 30 minutes must be considered dangerous for your child. It will create a sense of trust and respect among parents and children while following the rules.
Conclusion:
Apart from the parents, it is high time we raise the awareness of this topic in our schools. Schools must ensure a safe physical and online learning environment while teaching them about cyber security. Regardless of the age, safe online surfing must be a priority for every child that will allow them to engage in productive learning and fun activities during their online experience.