Complete Web Protection: 7 Main Rules for Kids and Parents
The Internet is a treasure trove of information, waiting to be accessed with just a few taps and clicks. Unfortunately, it’s also home to cybercriminals—scammers, fraudsters, hackers, and thieves who are all waiting for the next victim that will fall prey to them. And who are the most vulnerable users that these people can easily victimize? It is innocent kids who are browsing the Internet.
To help protect you and your children from cybercriminals, here are several cybersecurity safety measures that you can implement:
1. Check the URL
Before entering a website, make sure to check the URL first. This is one of the most telltale signs if a website is reliable or not.
A padlock icon should appear to the left of the site address. This means that the connection is secure and your sensitive information (like passwords and email addresses) is all private. The URL should look like this:
Websites that do not have this symbol are most likely not secure, and therefore, unsafe to visit. This means that the information you send or receive will be visible to anyone that can steal your information and use it for fraudulent activities.
2. Do not expose your address
Children are often unsuspecting of the dangers of the Internet. Thus, it’s best to teach them that they must not divulge your exact home address to strangers. This is to protect everyone in your home from stalkers and criminals.
Additionally, inform your child not to post photos of the outside of your home, by which strangers can distinguish a facade or any landmarks nearby. Make sure that your child understands that keeping your address confidential is important.
3. Do not talk to strangers
There are several dangers that can be encountered on the Internet. Children are even more susceptible to these, so you must monitor who they interact with online. There are several types of individuals with bad intentions, including the following:
Bullies
Bullies exist in real life and on the Internet. These are people who show aggressive behavior, either verbally or socially. They may taunt, tease, name-call, threaten, spread rumors, embarrass, or blackmail your child. Bullies can have lasting effects on the victim, such as trauma and anxiety.
Pedophiles
Pedophiles are people who have a sexual attraction to children. These people might ask kids to send photos and videos of them or ask for their personal information. They could also threaten to harm them if they don’t comply with their requests.
Identity Thieves
Identity thieves steal a person’s identity (such as their name, age, or photo) and pretend to be someone they are not. These people are also known as “posers.” Identity thieves may use another person’s identity to conduct fraudulent activities and to impersonate the victim online.
4. Avoid posting photos of minors
Nowadays, parents often post photos of their kids on social media, utilizing online platforms like it’s a family photo album. But there are many disadvantages to doing this, no matter how many likes and comments your little one’s snapshot may get.
Their photos could easily be taken by other people and used for bullying and identity theft. They could likewise end up as brand advertisements for children’s products in other countries. Even worse, the photos might also attract dangerous individuals. To be on the safe side, avoid posting your children’s photos, or cover their faces instead.
5. Do not post your real-time location
One of the most prominent features of social media apps is the ability to share your real-time location with your friends. The truth is, this is a recipe for danger, since advertising your location online will only allow aggressors to locate you and your family. This rather innocent action could prove to be extremely risky and could pose a threat to your security.
6. Supervise their game and media downloads
There are plenty of games and videos that claim to be made for children but actually contain inappropriate content. To ensure that your children aren’t downloading and playing with these kinds of apps and media, supervise their screen time. This will allow you to monitor what they are spending time on and how they might be subtly influenced.
7. Don’t give access to online shopping
Your children’s access to online shopping should be as limited as possible. Furthermore, they should never have access to your bank account information. This will prevent cybercriminals from forcing your kids to give them your financial info. It will also prevent unwanted online shopping—imagine paying thousands of dollars for toys that your kid accidentally checked out of Amazon!
The Bottom Line
Kids are one of the easiest targets for cybercriminals, which is why controlling their Internet usage is important. As a parent, it’s your job to supervise the websites they visit, the games they download, the videos that they watch, and the people they talk to. By doing so, you ensure their protection and safety in an age when cyberthreats are becoming the criminal’s choice of operation.
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