Speak to your child about what they’re watching, reading, and engaging with online as soon as they go online
Since cyber technology has revolutionized human lifestyles, parents must ensure that their children use technology instead of being used by it. Parents must tutor their children in cyber etiquette in the digital age.
In this age of Internet renaissance, where young minds depend on smartphones and tablets to satisfy their curiosity, digital parenting is critical.
Due to pandemic and social distancing norms, digital media is used to socialise people of all ages, including in conservative Asian communities.
According to The Arrka Privacy Report, 2020, 71 percent of Indian Android apps have access to your exact location, 62 percent have access to your camera, 50 percent have access to your contacts, and 46 percent have access to your microphone.
According to the report, 87 percent of Indian children’s apps accessed at least one dangerous permission, with 53 percent of apps featuring in-app advertisements.
Although it might be difficult for parents to continuously track their children’s activities, here are several suggestions to help them browse safely:
1. Set a good example.
Your children pick up on your habits, whether it’s screen time, sharing information, surfing the web, or using a smartphone.
As a result, it’s critical that we, as parents, set a good example. The rest of the advice is derived from this point.
2. Have a discussion
Discuss your online habits with your children freely.
Speak to your child about what they’re watching, reading, and who they’re talking with online as soon as they go online.
Inquire about their favorite websites and games. Make a list and go over it with your partner.
Talk to your child about what you think is acceptable, and tell them that other parents and their children can have different ideas.
3. Be a digital parent who is well-informed.
The digital world is always changing.
It’s important to stay current on the latest threats and developments to ensure your child has a positive experience.
The best way to keep your child safe is to educate yourself on the latest software, games, and security features.
4. Screens and tablets should be visible at all times.
Consider the Internet to be a public gathering place.
You will never let your child out of your sight in real life.
Similarly, they need your monitoring while they are online. It is important to know what they are doing online in order to keep them secure.
5. Keep track of how much time you spend on the internet.
It’s crucial to keep an eye on your child’s online activity, particularly if they’re young and engage in both online and offline activities.
Each online session should last no longer than 30 minutes, with no more than four sessions a day preferably.
6. Confirm their online acquaintances
Make sure you know your children’s online friends just as well as their offline friends.
Any friend who hasn’t been checked is a big danger. To keep their accounts and circles secure, assist your child in tracking down their mates.
7. Parental supervision
Parental controls are available on OTT websites, social media apps, games, and smartphones.
It is suggested that you do so after Instagram. It is recommended that after installing a new app, you go through its settings section to look for safety features.
Using parental controls on smartphones is a surefire way to improve your child’s safety.
8. Handle with caution.
Before posting any details on the internet, it’s important to understand why you’re sharing it and with whom you’re sharing it.
This is something that needs to be instilled in our children as well.
Details including residential address, phone numbers, e-mails, date of birth, school address, and location may be misused by friends or organizations.
Only those who need to know should have access to this information.
9. Take control of your family’s online presence.
Your digital footprint grows with every message, like, share, photo, or video you post.
We need to teach our kids that any time we post something online, it adds to our online profile.
You do not realize that when such pieces of information are put together piece by piece, criminal organizations will make use of it.
Always be cautious about what you post online and who you share it with.
10. Don’t tell someone where you are.
Most apps, whether on the desktop or on our phones, use geo tagging to continuously monitor our position. This detail is also preserved in the videos and photographs you share.
It is usually possible to disable it by going to the settings section of the device app control. You can toggle the ‘place sharing’ feature on and off only when using the app.
If you’re at home with the kids or out, be aware of what they’re doing online at all times.
Rather than secretly spying on them, strive to include them in the process of protecting them from predators.
Talk to them about the dangers of having their personal information posted online. Simple stuff like these, combined with a sharp mind, can help you achieve your goals
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