The digital world is a place where every thought becomes a possibility and every child gets to learn and experience unique things in a new way. However, the realm also holds many security risks and privacy concerns, especially for children. From cyberbullying to ransomware, there’s a lot of things that children can’t manage alone. That’s where parents can support their children by navigating the digital world with them to help them learn and understand the intricacies of the digital age.
If you’re a parent looking for ways to navigate the digital world by managing your child’s screen time, security, and safety concerns, this quick guide will help you make some smart choices:
Navigating Screen Time As Parents
Excessive screen time continues to be a huge concern for parents throughout the world. Even young children can become engrossed in watching videos, movies, or even just the general content that their parents are watching, making it quite impossible for parents to separate them from the screen. However, ensuring proper care is essential for the overall wellbeing of your child. Here are some ways you can make sure your child is using their screen time wisely and isn’t glued to their favourite digital device all day long:
- Use a parental control app to manage your child’s online activities and the amount of time they spend online. A strong parental control device will give you more control over your child’s screen time, help you block inappropriate content, and prioritise educational content for them, making your child’s screen time count.
- Set screen-free zones in your home such as the bedroom, washrooms, and garden space to help your children spend more time free from distractions and involved with family. To keep your children engaged, you can also set family time where no one looks at their phones or devices and spend quality time with each other.
- Encourage your children to play outdoors and make friends in the neighbourhood instead of spending time on social media. You can also make some time for their hobbies and encourage them to pursue physical activities instead of sitting with their phones at home.
Navigating Cybersecurity As Parents
Children might not understand the intricacies of cyberspace and all the threats it encompasses, but as parents it’s our responsibility to ensure that our children understand different aspects of cyber attacks and keep their online experience safe. Here are some ways you can make cybersecurity a part of your child’s digital experience:
- Choose a trustworthy antivirus for Android, iOS, computers and any other systems and devices that you own and your children frequently use. An antivirus will make your devices more secure from various cyber attacks and make phishing and other scam attempts futile.
- Use strong passwords for all your accounts and know all your child’s passwords, be it for devices or social media accounts. You can also use a password management system to keep track of all your passwords while also adding a layer of security to your child’s digital identity. For extra security, make sure all your security settings are updated and you are aware of which information can be accessed by which applications or websites through your digital devices.
- The norms around cyber security are ever-evolving as new technologies and cyber attacks emerge in the digital age. As parents, it’s important for you to be aware of the new changes that take place and teach your children to follow proper cyber security practices. Being curious about learning new things in the digital world can help you navigate it a lot more effectively.
Navigating Online Safety As Parents
The online world is full of people with both good and bad intentions, making it impossible for children to differentiate between the two behind the screen. As parents, ensuring that your child’s online safety and privacy is protected is an integral part of making them feel safe and secure online. Here’s how you can navigate online safety for your child as parents of the digital age:
- Actively monitor your child’s activity and take appropriate steps if you see any changes in their behaviour or online activities, such as hiding things from you or becoming extremely private. This could be a cause for concern and must be handled swiftly.
- A virtual private network or VPN is a digital tool that can encrypt your IP address, making it impossible for third-party to access your data or view your online activities. A fast VPN can make it easier for your children to keep their online safety and privacy intact as they learn to navigate the digital space and practise appropriate cyber hygiene.
- Last but not least, make sure that you offer your children a safe space to share their concerns and help them understand online safety in a healthy manner. Try exploring new things about the online world with them and subtly nudge them in the right direction by teaching them how to manage their online activity. Leading by example can make it easier for your child to understand and respect their online safety, helping them make informed decisions.
It’s A Wrap
The digital world exposes your child to new things, which can have both positive and negative consequences in the long run. Being aware of how your child uses the internet and helping them navigate the digital world can make a strong difference in how they perceive factors such as screen time, security, and safety and the type of relationship they build with the digital world as they grow up.