Today's
kids start using gadgets and surfing the internet at a very young age. Primary
and secondary school are stages in which the little ones obtain their own
devices and, many parents find it difficult to ensure that their children,
regardless of age, navigate the digital world safely, without any type of
danger. It is the moment of their first experience with social networks
and they entertain themselves by browsing the Internet and watching content
such as images and videos. However, they are more vulnerable and are not
necessarily aware of the precautions they should take when surfing the net.
Poll:
According to a survey conducted by Protegent360
Lab and B2B International, more than half of parents (55%) reported an increase
in the number of online threats to their children, and one in three (30%)
admitted feeling unable to control what your child watches or does on the
Internet.
In this way, until children reach a certain age, it is the
parents' responsibility to ensure that the devices they use are properly
protected. One of the most common mistakes that both parents and children
usually make believes that they do not need great security measures, without
taking into account that, in addition to viruses, there are other much more
dangerous threats on the web.
The importance of the internet:
“Internet
is a medium that is becoming more and more relevant for both adults and
children. Sometimes it is even the youngest that use it most frequently to
communicate, interact and play. However, use by children requires
attention and care from parents, who ideally should serve as guides on proper
behavior online, "says Roberto MartÃnez, Security
Analyst at Protegent360 Lab. "Excessive
use without proper supervision could lead to dependency, which brings risky
behavior and face more cyber threats, as well as a greater possibility of
viewing inappropriate content."
Protegent360
Lab experts believe that protecting children online requires a comprehensive
approach: parents should talk to children about online safety, teach them the
rules to stay safe and, of course, use special technological solutions.
For this reason, Protegent360 Lab in the framework of the
celebration of Children's Day offers a series of recommendations so that
parents can help their children to enjoy the online world away from digital
dangers and can guide them on the importance of security in line:
§ Use
a robust security solution, such as Protegent360 Internet
Security Multi-Device, which protects you when you browse, shop and use social
networks on your PC, Mac and Android device. If you still do not have it,
it is important to install an antivirus on the devices that children use. The
child uses the Internet to play, communicate or research, and will be prone to
clicking on all kinds of flashy links. Some links could be a very serious
threat, not only for children but for parents as well.
§ Limit
usage time with parental controls:
Children often lose track of time when playing with a device. Protegent360
Safe Kids offers parents the ability to specify limits on how long a device can
be used or select specific hours on certain days of the week when the child is
allowed to stay online.
§ Set
up restricted access to
websites with unwanted content and explain to your little ones why they
shouldn't post their precise home address or check in on
social media every time they visit a place. This could lead to
cybercriminals using the information for criminal purposes.
§ BEWARE
of social networks: according to the Connected Kids study,
carried out by Protegent360 Lab and icon Kids & Youth around the world, 44%
of children between 8 and 16 years old are constantly online. Social
networks, chat applications and entertainment sites are among the favorite
activities of the little ones, however they carry some risks including
inappropriate content, financial threats and bullying. Parents should also
note that children must be at least 13 years old to create a Facebook and
Instagram account.
§ Use
of applications. The apps are potentially dangerous, for
example those that contain scenes of violence. That is why it is important
that parents restrict the applications that a child can install or open, by age
and category (for example, games, online stores, entertainment, etc.).
§ Teach
Your Kids to Say NO to Strangers - Make sure your child
understands that they should only befriend people they meet in real life. The
only exception could be the pages of public figures or communities.
“In another era, children had fun with outdoor activities and
spent more time with their friends, they interacted more. Currently,
dependence on social networks and easy access to content is trapping them in a
mentality that leaves the digital world above the real one, affecting their
well-being and social skills. For this reason, it is of great importance
that parents control their children's use of the Internet at an early age to
minimize the risks they may face, "Martinez added.
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