The walk home from school used to keep parents up at night. Today’s parent has more to worry about while their child is sitting on the couch with an electronic device.
Cyberbullying, sexting, identity theft, phishing and privacy are just a few problems children can encounter while engaging in healthy online activities such as homework, gaming or chatting with friends.
It is more critical than ever that parents not only keep tabs on what their children are doing online, but also what the threats are.
The team at Security.org today released A Parent’s Guide To Protecting Their Children Online.
The comprehensive report offers a full range of tips. Here are 5 hot topics:
1) SIGNS YOUR CHILD MAY BE A VICTIM OF CYBER BULLYING
Kids and teens may exhibit an array of signs that being online is causing them
distress. Such symptoms may include:
· Avoiding the computer, cell phone and other mobile devices
· Appearing distressed immediately after receiving emails, texts or messages.
· Changes in eating and sleeping habits.
· Taking a new route or method of traveling to and from school.
· Finding excuses to not go to school at all.
· Declining grades or athletic performance.
· Begins showing signs of depression, low self-esteem and/or fear.
2) HOW TO PROTECT KIDS FROM SEXTING
First and foremost, make sure your children understand that what goes online is embedded somewhere in the cloud of information permanently and that nothing is truly anonymous or private. Let them know that there is a predisposition for such images and videos to be shared by the intended recipient should their friendship or relationship fall through. However, one of the best things’ parents can do is contact
their mobile provider and check out the parental controls that are available. These can often place limits on the type and number of texts kids can read or send, and they can also disable attachments that would allow for such photos or videos to be transmitted on the device. Make your limitations and expectations clear to your teens and tweens, while making the dangers known to them.
3) STORING CREDIT CARD INFORMATION ONLINE
Not only does it make it easier to have financial information compromised when storing credit card or passkeys online, but it also leaves them accessible for use by children or teens that you share devices with. Each online activity presents possible exposure to hackers, viruses, and scammers if credit card details are stored, so resist the urge to do so simply in the name of convenience - it could be a costly error.
4) IN-APP PURCHASES
For starters, this is another reason not to store credit card data on computers, as it
makes it easy and tempting to order those ‘bonus’ goodies - especially for young children. There are certain illegitimate apps that even fool users into making unnecessary purchases or clandestinely signing them up for a subscription in the small print. Discuss which apps are and are not okay to purchase with your children and set limitations on spending if you choose to trust them with financial information. Again, this makes cyber security updates extremely important.
5) PHISHING SCAMS
Online scammers often lure people in with new stories or trendy topics that create curiosity and additional Web traffic consisting of a wide audience. However, phishing
usually arrive in emails, social media messages, or on sites that appear to be legitimate. The goal is to make one believe they are giving their information
to a legitimate site, but a scammer is waiting on the other end to receive it. Always go through the primary site to check for legitimate messages, and NEVER click on links in emails asking for information of any kind.
To view the complete report from Security.org click here: A Parent’s Guide To Protecting Their Children Online.
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