Technologies
The Internet
often seems like a place of endless wonder. A click of the mouse can take a child to both fabulous and unexplored places, as well as places full of danger.
Adult content, forbidden or highly objectionable information, fraud, virtual intimidation and blackmail — particularly affect children between 8 and 14 years of age. So what do we have to do?
1. Access age
Today, registration on most social networks is possible only from the age of 14, but it is considered unfashionable not to be in VKontakte from the first grade of school. It turns out that the decision on access to the network for children and adolescents aged 8-13 is determined not by law, but by parents — it is up to them to determine whether their child will have access to the network before the age of 14.
It is parents who give their child a special right and are at the same time responsible for safety and development. They can restrict this right at will.
It is important to note that a child under 10 years of age should be completely protected from the network. In the early school years, the child is just beginning an active process of understanding the world and forming a personality. At the same time, the mechanisms of critical reflection have not yet been formed, the child is overly trusting — the Internet at this age can seriously disrupt personality formation.
Children's online safety
2. Discussing safety on the Internet.
Internet security issues are discussed at computer science classes in middle and high school. But only you can tell a primary school student who is on a short leg with a computer or phone how inventive and cunning Internet fraudsters are.
Once your child has a digital device with access to the global network—a smartphone, computer, video game console, or anything—it's time to teach them how to stay safe online. And remember that there are no taboo topics or uncomfortable questions here and there cannot be! If you don't explain it, a stranger will!
Tell your children in detail about all the potential threats they may face online.
If possible, put the computer in the common room.
Try to spend more time at the computer with your child, explaining and showing.
Teach your children that not everything they see or read online is necessarily true.
Read also: How we are being fooled on the Internet: revelations of photos that turned out to be lies
3. Software and parental control
Install a high-quality anti-virus program with the “Parental Control” function on your computer and on all mobile devices. This is one of the essential components of protection against online threats. Control will allow you to:
Block sites with prohibited content.
Limit and control the child's time online.
Set restrictions on installing and running new programs.
Control the child's correspondence on social networks and chat rooms.
Thousands of new viruses appear on the Internet every day – don't forget to keep an eye on operating system and application security updates.
4. Set the time to use the Internet
Agree that you will not be able to control your child all the time and be with him all the time. But you can set rules that will make both parties happy:
Access to the network is possible as long as it does not interfere with studies and provided that family responsibilities and daily routines are met.
Specify a schedule for using the Internet. For example, after school, a child should do homework, take a walk outside, feed or walk pets, and only then use gadgets.
Limit the time: for younger students – no more than one hour online per day, for middle school students – no more than an hour and a half.
5. Discuss bans and permits
Explain in detail to children what they are allowed and what they are not allowed to do online:
Listen to music, watch movies and videos, play online games
Register on social networks and other sites
Use instant messaging software
Download music, games, movies and other content without your permission
Shop online
To gamble
Ask your child regularly about what they saw and did online. Don't forget to check that the rules already established are up to date. Make sure your rules are appropriate for both your child's age and development.
6. Social Media Code of Conduct
If a child is allowed to access social networks, he should be warned about the need to comply with culture and communication rules. Often, children and adolescents, without experience and knowledge of how to manage their aggression and resentment, express their feelings in comments and discussions, set their interlocutors against each other and create a common negative atmosphere.
Parents should inform the child that he should not make questionable online acquaintances, because a dangerous person can hide behind a cute and attractive avatar.
Agree with your child that, without your knowledge, he will never respond to emails from strangers, post or share important information such as home address, numbers phone numbers, bank card details, parents' passport details, etc.
Also read: 8 social media mistakes that indicate your low self-esteem
7. Make friends with your kids on social media
Parent-child contact is a key factor that determines a teenager's behavior in virtual life.
Sign up for a social network and connect with your child. Spend more time chatting with him online. Become your child's best friend – not only in everyday life, but also online. This is the only way you can see or find out what your child is interested in and what he does on the Internet.
Be sure to monitor kids online. From time to time, check the page for dangerous messages. Check your children's contact list to make sure they know everyone they're talking to.
Schoolchildren's Internet addiction
8. Internet addiction
In the most extreme cases, a child's interest in the Internet turns into an Internet addiction. This is a waste of all available time on the internet. These are poor grades and abandoned homework, isolation, refusal to “live” communication, myopia, spinal problems and headaches.
In this case, experts advise only parental love and attention, control and alternative leisure activities. You need to learn how to find a balance between study, play and outdoor activities. The time for online games is over – that's it, it's time for a walk! And not sitting around — but riding a bicycle, roller skating, playing football, hockey, hiking, fishing, cooking on a fire… What kind of child can resist such an alternative?
9. Be ready to learn
Parents should not only navigate social networks, but also know what sites their children are on and how they spend their time, and improve their own level of awareness.
The Internet does not stand still and is constantly evolving. Be ready to learn too. You almost certainly won't know much about what your child will learn and learn quickly online. But if you want to keep your finger on the pulse, you'll have to keep up with it.
Only the proper organization of a child's visits to the Internet, his preparedness, as well as constant parental participation and control can protect children from the negative impact of information and intruders. A good and safe Internet for you and your children!