7 Security Best Practices to Keep Your Kids Safe Online
Providing children with the skills they need to protect themselves online can be extremely beneficial to families.
Kaspersky Lab, a cybersecurity and digital privacy company, shares seven digital practices that parents can teach their children.
To survive in today’s Internet world, everyone requires certain skills. While adults typically learn these skills as new technologies emerge, today’s children are practically born with a smartphone in their hands. It is the responsibility of parents to teach their children how to live in a world that is constantly bombarded with information.
Experts at Kaspersky recommend that parents develop the following seven habits to help their children adjust to the Internet:
- Establish a device-free time zone:
When children use technology for an extended period of time, they may become addicted to it. According to American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry researchers, this addiction can lead to sleep problems, mood swings, weight gain, poor self-image, and body image issues.
With today’s online world, experts recommend gradually increasing children’s screen time and opting for the removal of restrictions. Furthermore, some helpful hints in this regard apply to children of all ages: the simplest and most effective is to avoid using devices near bedtime and to mute them during the night. It would be prudent to negotiate other times when children are not permitted to use their smartphones, such as during family meals.
- Take command of the charger by doing the following:
Despite the fact that technology advances at the speed of light, today’s devices still run out of power quickly. It’s also a good idea to have kids leave their devices somewhere other than the bedroom, such as the hallway or kitchen. As a result, the device’s battery is always charged in the morning, and your children will be unable to watch TikTok trends videos before going to bed.
- Pay close attention to information security and other related issues:
When children enter the virtual world, they are exposed to a variety of hazards, both on the Internet and in real life. Begin by instructing them not to look at their phones while crossing the street or ascending and descending the stairs. Children are unlikely to remember and follow all of these rules right away. In this regard, a reputable security solution can assist you. According to Kaspersky, its Kaspersky Safe Kids can assist parents in safeguarding their children’s activities, monitoring their behavior, and teaching them self-control.
- Aim for long-term media use:
Constant notifications from our devices can overwhelm and distract us. You can imagine how difficult it is for children, as even adults struggle to resist the urge to check their messages. Limit notifications on your children’s phones so they are not distracted while doing homework or other assigned tasks and can complete their homework more quickly. - Follow digital etiquette:
Just like in the real world, online behavior is governed by unspoken rules. While adults often master these skills simply by communicating online, children require assistance in avoiding awkward situations, so you should discuss some expectations with them before going online. For example, communication via e-mail and social networks, and messaging applications, talk about the differences between communication channels. - Organize information:
Some people believe that a regular phone or computer reflects a well-organized mind. A cluttered locker is unlikely to have an impact on your child’s life, but losing passwords or files, or forgetting phone numbers, can be a problem. From a young age, children must learn to organize information. - Schedule a digital detox program on a regular basis:
With digital technology in almost every aspect of children’s lives, it is nearly impossible to avoid information overload. This means that kids must be able to take a step back and reduce their reliance on the Internet, first with your assistance, then on their own.
First of all, limit the use of social networks. Social networks cause great loss of time and energy, “Eight steps to freedom: Logout from social networks”. There are useful tips to help families and children in this regard.
