Guidelines for Safe Digital Playgrounds for Children
By: Kenrick Bagnall, Founder of KONCYBER
I write this guideline from the perspective of someone who has worked in Information Technology, law enforcement and cybercrime investigations. That said, perhaps the most important perspective is that of a parent. I’m the proud father of three incredible human begins.
In writing this my goals are to share my perspective, raise awareness and provide actionable takeaways that will allow you to make a tangible difference in the overall online safety of your child. Our children are precious and the future of this amazing world we are all privileged to live in. It is our responsibility to keep them safe and equip them with the skills they will need going into adulthood.
With that, let’s start off by taking a look as some online risks.
Some of the Risks
Social Networks: Today, children spend a large percentage of their time on social networking sites. It is arguable that nothing has had a greater influence over our children than the explosion or social media platforms. Kids can keep up-to-date on upcoming events, connect and communicate with their friends and also express their own creativity. It’s important that parents understand that along with these benefits, also comes various risks that can range from minor to devastating harm.
Cyberbullying is a reality that transcends the educational environment and the Internet space. This harm goes well beyond the classic school yard or playground bully picking fights and stealing lunch money. The vastness of the Internet combined with expanded use of at home education and recreation. It’s important for parents to help their children identify the warning signs of a cyberbullying event and discuss the best ways handle and report these encounters. Making sure kids feel safe and comfortable to openly bring this issue to you is critical.
The proper use of Privacy Setting is important to helping your child manage and limit online exposer. Ensure that your child’s social media profile is set to private so that only their friends have access to view their shared content.
Help your kids understand that the idea of “stranger danger” transcends to the digital world and has even more risk.
It is critical that kids know not to disclose personal information on social media platforms, like address, full name, dates of birth, and phone numbers.
Video Games: It’s important that parents understand that today’s video games are not the arcade style games of old. Today’s games are highly immersive, interactive, and all consuming. Today’s video games offer in-game purchases and the ability to communicate with and play with and against players from all over the world.
Some games allow role play through avatars and custom developed characters for interacting within the games. These interactions can be positive but also may be harmful. It’s importing to teach your kids the value of polite online conduct and develop in them the ability to recognize inappropriate communication.
Parental controls are a useful tool for monitoring your child’s gaming habits. Discover the tools provided by gaming platforms and change settings to align with your family’s moral tenets. Establish fair time limits to strike a balance between gaming and other activities. Microtransactions (in-game purchases) are a common element of modern gaming and might have unforeseen financial consequences. Make sure your children understand the difference between actual money and in-game cash, and that they always get your permission before using any of it.
Basic Web Browsing & Internet Searches: Allowing children unrestricted access to the Internet will result in exposure to different kinds of content. The problem is that not all of this content will be good or necessarily age appropriate. The objective could be simple and innocent enough, like homework or research for a school project, but even basic Internet searching does come with risks. Parents can help to safeguard the Internet search process and greatly reduce the risk of their child coming into content with dangerous or inappropriate content. Parents can add to the safety of their child’s Internet experience by utilizing the built-in filters on the Internet browser and also making use of child-friendly search engines. There are several good ones available.
I would suggest starting by taking a look at these:
Children are never too young to learn the basics of critical thinking. Parents can help their kids to tell the difference between a trusted source of information and a different source that may have misleading, inaccurate or otherwise information that is less likely to be trusted or believed.
When conducting the Open Source (publicly available) portion of a cyber investigation, I would also do something I called, triangulating my sources. The basically means I would not necessarily rely on one source of information, but I’m corroborate the content with at least three other courses. Teach your kids to fact check and think critically about the information they are being presented with.
Browsing to a malicious website can result in your files being damaged, copies being taken or even your identity being compromised. Be sure to have a reliable antivirus program installed on your computer or devise. Do this not only for Windows based computers but also for Apple computers and devices. Although it is less common for Apple computers and devices to become infected, it can and has happened.
Useful Guidance for Promoting Online Safety
Now, let’s take a look at some practical guidance for online safety for your kids.
Open Communication: It’s imperative to create an environment where your kids feel comfortable discussing their experiences on the internet. Regularly discuss their online activities with them and encourage them to share positive and negative experiences. By fostering open conversation, you can assist youngsters in resolving conflicts quickly and through challenging situations.
Setting Limitations: Clearly setting boundaries for screen time and online activities can help strike a solid balance between digital engagement and in-person encounters. Together with your child, create a daily plan that combines a range of activities that promote development on the intellectual, social, and physical levels.
Teaching Children About Consequences: Help your child understand that actions committed on the Internet have consequences in real life. Teach your kids about the effects of their words and actions on other people as well as on themselves, emphasizing the need for empathy, understanding, and responsible behaviour.
Setting an Example: Youngsters learn a great deal about life from watching their parents. Provide a model for the conduct you like your kids to emulate on the internet. You should always communicate ethically, think critically, and share responsibly with everyone you come into contact with, as well as when you encounter problems online.
Discussing Privacy Concerns: Teach your children the importance of personal information. Describe the kinds of data that should never be shared online, including addresses, phone numbers, passwords, full names, and school names. Give them the ability to take ownership for their online identity and take an active role in protecting it.
Cyberbullying Awareness: Teach your children about the various forms of cyberbullying, including exclusion, rumors, and harsh messaging. Encourage children to speak out against cyberbullying and to report any occurrences they witness or come across. Tell them that asking for help is not a sign of weakness but rather of power. See something, say something.
Installing Parental Controls: Use the parental control features that come with different platforms and gadgets to monitor what your child does online. Keep an eye on their activities, impose time restrictions, and apply content filters to ensure they are abiding by the guidelines you have established.
Stay up-to-date with the latest technological innovations, games, and applications that spark your child’s interest. Understanding their virtual world will enable you to engage with them intelligently, recognize their passion, and identify potential risks.
Frequent Check-Ins: Regularly monitor your child’s online activities, keeping an eye on their browser history, gaming friends, and social media profiles. You may evaluate their online behaviour, address any problems, and encourage positive behaviour by taking these actions.
Promoting Critical Thinking: To foster critical thinking skills in your children, have a conversation with them about the reliability of the information they discover online. Encourage kids to question, investigate, and weigh their alternatives when evaluating material they encounter, whether it’s online or offline.
A Few Take-Aways
Parents face challenges when navigating the complicated digital landscape. When our kids step into the wide world of digital play, it is our duty to provide them with the information and resources they need to succeed in it, stay safe, and make wise decisions. Establishing limits, encouraging candid communication, and assisting your child in the development of critical thinking abilities will all help you create a secure and encouraging space where they may explore the digital world without risking their wellbeing.
Since technology is ingrained in every part of our lives, effective intergenerational communication is crucial. It’s important to create an atmosphere where your child feels at ease talking about their internet experiences. You can better understand their online behaviours, handle any potential issues, and provide support when required if you maintain a conversation with them. A connection based on open communication and trust makes it more likely that your child will seek help from you when they need it or will recognize and celebrate a technological accomplishment.
Establishing limits is another essential component in encouraging positive digital behaviours. Establish explicit rules regarding screen time and conduct when using the internet to achieve a healthy balance between the real and virtual worlds. Together, you may create a daily schedule that incorporates digital learning, in-person encounters, and physical activity to help your child lead a well-rounded life. When you involve children in this process, they can learn how to prioritize their work depending on their responsibilities and interests and develop time management skills.
You have to interact with this digital environment as a parent because technology permeates every aspect of our lives. You become more involved in your child’s online experience than just being a spectator when you help them navigate the always changing internet landscape. Your monitoring, counselling, and alertness are crucial elements that can influence how your child uses the internet safely, makes wise decisions, and forms a positive online persona.
This approach’s core principles emphasize the need of flexibility and lifelong learning. There are always new issues, platforms, and trends to be aware of in the ever-changing digital world. You may maintain a soothing influence in your kids’ digital worlds by keeping abreast of the most recent advancements in technology and participating in the websites and games they like. Equipped with this knowledge, you can pose perceptive queries, ascertain their preferred topics of conversation, and manage any possible hazards.
Recall that raising children in the digital age requires striking a balance between safety and empowerment. Providing your child with the necessary tools to navigate the digital world on their own is just as vital as providing them with a safety net of guidance and supervision. Creating a routine that includes monitoring their internet activity, talking about the difficulties they face, and recognizing their successes can help to build a feeling of communal accountability. Your thoughtful correspondence shows that you are concerned about their well-being, even in this wide and potentially untrustworthy internet space.
In closing, it is your responsibility as a parent to continue leading your child toward safe and responsible online interactions even as the digital playground grows and changes. You provide the groundwork for a secure and fulfilling digital experience by encouraging open communication, establishing boundaries, teaching people about the consequences of their actions, and leading by example. As you set out on this road with them, keep in mind that your role is not limited to keeping kids safe; it also includes helping them develop digital literacy, strengthening their moral compass, and giving them the tools, they need to succeed in the connected world they are growing up in.
About Kenrick Bagnall
Kenrick Bagnall is the Executive Board SVP and CISO for the Cyber Security Global Alliance and head of their Cybercrime Task Force. He also has seventeen years of law enforcement experience, the last eight of which have been as a Cybercrime Investigator. Kenrick is also a cybersecurity instructor, writer, and host of the KONCYBERpodcast.
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