Children and cyber safety

Hello friends, by now everybody must have got some schedules designed after experimenting for a month. Thirty days, in fact now more than thirty days is little too much time under one roof. Isn’t it? But did we realise that we/children are spending lot of time online than ever. Internet usage is up by 50% throughout the world.

We need to look at consequences of children been stuck to laptops, and phones just to stay connected, or learn or say entertain themselves. Please note they are at increasing risk. We are somewhere opening their roads to online harassment even sexual abuse.

Ultimately what we can conclude is this corona virus has created perfect situation for the online predators, crimes. Especially for children who are lonely and confused and unattended. How can we keep them safe as their life’s have shrinked to these small screens?

1. Open communication: Work on rules how long they can be online, while encourage their daily activities, try and find out who they are been engaged or busy with online. Also try some activities I mean practical’s to keep them away from screens. Ensure they move from their place and remain physically active. Help children express, by asking them questions about their feelings.

2. Try and keep children away from gadgets, bit difficult these days so we can schedule a no screen time. Discuss good hygiene practices. Make it more practical in day to day life practices. Telling stories, pretending or drawing can be some ways of making child comfortable and make them feel safe. Try and do house chores collectively and safely.

3. Use protection tools: Check the device your child uses has latest software and antivirus updated. See that the privacy settings are on. Use of webcams should be limited or just closed or covered when not in use. Establish rules for use of internet. Parental controls can minimize the risk for younger ones

4. If you have younger children see that you have safe search on Google, set up parental control. Increased online exposure has heightened risks for child safety. Discuss internet with children, to make them understand it in better way, what the appropriate behaviour looks like on such platforms like video chats.

5. Protect privacy: Watch what information your child is disclosing, especially the personal information. Teach your children to maintain privacy from strangers no matter how good and real they seem. See who are they connecting to? Of course watch on their online friends list.

6. Your child never needs to share his photograph, full name or other details online while they use any online learning resources. Use reliable resources for online games or studies. Be in touch with online children education facility .Parents groups or community groups can be a good idea to know about the Childs learning and support each other.

7. Observe your children for distress signs, such as becoming withdrawn, being secretive, depressed or just upset. Changes in their behaviour can be the signs or results of their online activities.

8. Be familiar with safeguarding or bullying policies-Harassment policies have the respective contacts or hotlines in emergency like in case of inappropriate content. Bullying or harassment at young age can be big hindrance in growth of the child. It can effect to the extent of spoiling the life of the child.

9. While we are trying to keep them active physically by exercise, also ensure they do some eye exercise to maintain health of eyes.

If we look around every child is fascinated with the gadgets, which has direct effect on their thought process and eyes. Due to lockdown now schools have taken up online studies and are teaching children doing advanced activities online .So officially we are forced with the online education system to handover the laptops or mobiles to children.
Finally how can I forget Tiktok....no words public is so crazy for this app. While it's made for fun,it has become everyday job for many.  Moreover children are exposed to the world for entertainment.

Educating them online, no wonder if not paid attention the generation can be most hurt generation in all sense due to loss of time and sources during lockdown and its consequence for entire year.
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