The number of ways children today can go online and interact with others is staggering. From new social media apps and games to schools issuing tablets, kids’ social lives and futures depend on their ability to make the most of technology. As parents, we want to make sure they do so in a safe and secure manner. Many schools are requiring kids to use services such as Google Drive and require work to be completed and submitted online. Kids are literally growing up “connected.” While this has many benefits, these opportunities also come with risks. This can be a challenge, as many of us never grew up in a technical environment like this. Learn what your kids are doing online; educate them about today’s risks and what they should do to protect themselves.
Below are some suggestions to help kids and parents make the most of today’s technology, avoid risks, be safe, secure, and cyber aware.
The Risks
- When interacting in online communities or virtual worlds, kids can behave in ways they never would in the real world. They are often tempted to express themselves in ways that might hurt other kids, this is called cyberbullying. In addition, your children may become the victim of others who are deliberately mean or hurtful to them.
- Children are now in almost constant communication with others, whether through texting, interacting in online communities or playing in virtual worlds. The lack of physical presence often causes them to forget that the individual on the other end may not be who they say they are or may not have their best interest in mind. Predators roam these digital streets, and they will use every tactic they can to build relationships with potential victims, often by posing as children themselves.
- There is no shortage of ways to capture and post video, sound, images, or text-based messages online. The temptation for kids to “out-post” others and over-share information about themselves or their family members is very real, and they often do it without realizing the consequences.
- Children may also not realize the dangers of identity theft or malware infection when others ask them probing questions or ask them to take actions such as clicking on links.
- We live in an age where there is no “undo” when things are posted online or shared with others.
- When children are away from home, they are at more risk. Help them understand that your cyber rules apply wherever they are and communicate your restrictions to whomever you trust with their care.
Education
- Home is where safe online behavior starts. The younger you start talking to your children, and they to you, the better. Hold regular conversations about online safety issues, even going so far as to show them actual negative events that have taken place.
- If you don’t know what your kids are doing, simply ask. Try to ensure that all online activity takes place in central areas of the home and create time boundaries for usage. By having home computers in a central location, kids are far less likely to engage in dangerous behavior.
- Create a central charging station for mobile devices, with a rule that all mobile devices go there before kids go to bed at night.
Communication
The number one step you can take is communication; make sure you are always talking to your kids and they are talking to you. We want kids to behave online as they would in the real world. A good place to start is to create a list of rules or expectations with your kids on how they should use technology. Here are some things to consider (remember, these rules will evolve as kids get older):
- State times when they can or cannot go online, and for how long.
- Ask your children who their online friends or followers are, and how they became friends. Do they actually know the people that they are connected to online?
- Talk about the types of websites they should or should not visit, games that are appropriate or not, and why.
- Let them know what information they can share and with whom. Children often do not realize what they post is permanent and public.
- Discuss who they should report problems to, such as if someone online is being a bully or creepy.
- Remind kids that, as in real life, you treat others online as they would want to be treated themselves.
Once you discuss and decide on the rules, post them by the family computer or your child’s bedroom door. The earlier you start talking to your kids about your expectations, the better. Not sure how to start the conversation, especially with older kids? Ask them what apps they are using and how they work. Put your child in the role of teacher and have them show you what they are doing online.
Lead by Example
Don’t forget that parents need to set a good example.
- When your kids talk to you, put your own digital device down and look them in the eye.
- Consider not using digital devices at the dinner table and never text while driving.
- Engage other parents, guardians, siblings, teachers, and friends to help keep an eye out for potentially harmful behavior.
- Try to have your community keep up with the kids and encourage them to have positive interactions with them when they see kids starting down a dangerous path.
- When kids make mistakes, treat each one as an experience to learn from.
- Explain “why” and remind them that you are only trying to protect them.
Keeping communication open and active is the best way to help kids stay safe and cyber aware in today’s digital world.
Resource Links
https://securingthehuman.sans.org/newsletters/ouch/issues/OUCH-201705_en.pdf
https://securingthehuman.sans.org/newsletters/ouch/issues/OUCH-201506_en.pdf