The internet is an indispensable part of our daily lives, especially since COVID-19. However, more people using the internet also makes them more vulnerable to cyber threats, especially the young generation.

With the widespread adoption of smartphones, tablets, computers, and gaming consoles, parents must understand the importance of cyber safety for their kids.

This article will discuss the most common cyber risks for children, and some tips and strategies for parents for ensuring cyber safety for kids from these cyber threats.

Common Cyber Risks for Children

Modern technology and the internet are making things more convenient for the young generation. But it has also exposed them to several risks. Some common online dangers for children include:

1. Cyberbullying: A common form of harassment that involves the use of digital platforms to harass, humiliate, or intimidate someone. It involves sending threatening, hurtful, or abusive messages or posts to someone repeatedly, or spreading false information/creating hurtful content on social media, email, online video games, etc. Some examples of cyberbullying include sending threatening messages, spreading rumors, or sharing embarrassing photos/stories of someone on social media.
2. Online Predators: Some adults use the internet to target and exploit children engaging in activities like grooming, manipulation, or solicitation for sexual or other malicious purposes. For example, an online predator may build a false sense of trust with a child online and later attempt to meet them in person.
3. Inappropriate Content: One of the most common threats children face online is exposure to age-inappropriate material, such as explicit images, videos, websites, inappropriate language, violent or sexual content, hate speech, etc. This type of content can psychologically harm or negatively impact a child’s development. A common example of this kind of threat includes accidental access to adult content or exposure to violent and disturbing imagery.
4. Phishing: Albeit not exclusive to children, phishing can still harm children or their parents in the online world. Phishing involves attempting to trick individuals into revealing personal information, such as passwords or financial details, through deceptive online messages or websites. The most common example of phishing includes fake emails claiming to be from a trusted source, asking for login credentials or financial information.
5. Identity Theft: Cybercriminals can steal your child’s identity in many ways, such as through phishing, malware, skimming through their online accounts, etc., and use it without authorization. Identity theft can lead to severe consequences, both legal and financial. For example, cybercriminals can steal and fraudulently use your children’s social security number or personal details to open accounts and perform fraudulent activities.
6. Online Scams: Online scams involve fraudulent schemes that seek to deceive individuals for financial gain, often through fake promotions, games, surveys, or giveaways. Examples include fake online quizzes or contests asking for personal information or payment.
7. Malware and Viruses: Malicious software and codes - also known as malware and viruses, are designed to harm a computer or other devices, potentially compromising personal information or damaging the device itself. Usually, malware and viruses can infect a device by downloading seemingly harmless files that contain malware, leading to data loss or theft.
8. Location Compromise: Sometimes kids may share their location through apps or social media unintentionally, posing a risk to their safety and privacy. This can happen through geotagging in photos or using location-sharing features without understanding the potential risks associated with them.
9. Unhealthy Online Relationships: Sometimes kids get into toxic relationships, peer pressure, or negative influences on social media or gaming platforms that can impact their well-being. Usually, this type of relationship stems from engaging in online friendships that encourage unhealthy, risky behaviors or compromise a  child’s values.
10. Addiction and Overuse: Excessive screen time and online engagement can lead to potential physical and mental health issues, including addiction and social withdrawal. This can happen from spending too many hours online instead of engaging in physical activities, sleep, or face-to-face interactions.
11. Sexting: This involves sending or receiving explicit content, which can have legal and social consequences for children. Sexting can lead to a world of pain for your kids, such as bullying, harassment, exploitation, explicit material distribution without consent, etc.
12. Fake Profiles: Cybercriminals may create fake social media profiles to impersonate familiar people to deceive or manipulate children online. Most commonly, fake profiles pretend to be friends or classmates to gain trust and extract personal information.
13. Violent or Hateful Content: Kids may come across violent or hate-driven content during their time online, which can negatively impact their behavior or mindset. This kind of exposure may come from online discussions, videos, forums, or games that promote hatred or violence.
14. Privacy Concerns: Insufficient knowledge and awareness about privacy settings can lead your children to share personal information unintentionally. This may make them vulnerable to various online threats. Sharing personal details on public profiles or failing to use privacy settings on social media platforms can lead to this problem.
15. False News and Misinformation: Some people post socially biased content online based on false and inaccurate information. Exposure to this content can mislead your kids and leave a bad impression on them.

These risks can have significant emotional, psychological, and physical effects on children. Parents must be aware of these risks and take measures to ensure their children’s online safety.

How to Ensure Cyber Safety for Kids

Whether your kids are accessing the internet for educational or entertainment purposes, there are potential risks in every corner. These practices will minimize your children’s exposure to potential threats, no matter what they’re doing:

1. Establish rules and guidelines: The first step is to set rules and guidelines for your children’s online activities. This includes the sites they can visit, how long they can spend online, and what kind of personal information they should never share online.
2. Educate your children: You need to teach your children about online safety, including the risks of sharing personal information such as full names, addresses, phone numbers, birthdates, photos, etc. Also, educate your children not to trust strangers they meet online. Never agree to hang out with strangers after meeting online without parental supervision, never respond to threatening emails/messages, and always tell a parent or trusted adult about any scary/hurtful online encounters.
3. Use parental controls: Most modern devices and internet browsers have built-in parental controls. These features will allow you to restrict certain content and limit your children’s access to certain sites and apps. Take full advantage of these features to keep your children safe online.
4. Monitor your children's online activity: Observe your children’s online activities. This includes their social media accounts, text messages, emails, and social media posts. If you notice any unusual or harmful behavior, immediately address it.
5. Be more involved & engaged: Stay involved with your children’s online activities. Talk to them about what they’re doing online and whom they’re talking to. Encourage them to consult you if they encounter anything that makes them feel uncomfortable or worried.

These tips can help you ensure your children’s online safety. However, you must also discuss online safety with your kids to ensure they understand why they should stay safe online.

Discussing Online Safety for Kids

Discussing online safety with your kids can be challenging. But it’s an essential conversation that every parent must have. Here are some tips to help you discuss online safety with your kids:

1. Start early: Teach your kids about online safety at an early age. As soon as they’re using technology and exposed to the internet, educate them about good online hygiene.
2. Keep it simple: Avoid complicating things. Explain online safety in a way that kids can easily understand. Use age-appropriate language, and make sure not to scare them.
3. Discuss the risks: Talk to your kids about the risks of sharing personal information online, such as their names, addresses, phone numbers, and photos.
4. Teach them to be critical: Being critical online is crucial for both kids and adults. Teach your kids to be critical of what they see online. Encourage them to question and fact-check everything they see on the internet.
5. Set boundaries: As parents, it’s your job to ensure your kids are being responsible. Set boundaries for your kids, such as limiting online use, not using devices during meal and sleep time, and not allowing access to certain websites and apps.
6. Encourage open communication: Clear, open communication with your kids is really important. Growing up, your kids might be scared to share things, especially when it comes to their online experiences. Assure them that it’s okay to come to you if they ever feel uncomfortable or threatened online. Make sure they understand that they won’t get in trouble or be judged for sharing their experiences with you. Building this level of trust makes it easier for them to share and ask for help when they need it.
7. Lead by example: Parents are the best teachers kids can have. And you must set examples for your kids to follow. Model good online behavior for your kids. Show them how to use technology responsibly and protect their privacy online.

Final Words

As a parent, you must be proactive to ensure your kids’ online safety. Understand the potential cyber risks, and the steps you can take to protect your children’s online presence. Here’s a quick recap:

• Establish rules and guidelines
• Educate your children
• Use parental controls
• Monitor their online activities
• Be more involved and engaged
• Discuss online safety with your kids more often.

Once you’re confident that your kids clearly understand online safety, you can rest assured that they’re responsibly exploring the web. Take action today to equip your kids with the tools and knowledge they need, to navigate the digital world safely and confidently.