In today’s digital world, children are exposed to technology at a much younger age than they have ever been in the past and with Christmas just around the corner, there’s no doubt that some of the latest gadgets will be on the wish-list.
Parenting on Female First
Recent research, commissioned by ESET, has revealed that nine is the age that the average British child becomes technologically mature. This highlights a requirement to ensure children are properly educated on the dangers that lurk online.
If you’re planning on buying your child a laptop, tablet or smartphone for Christmas, take a look at ESET’s six golden rules, which will ensure your child surfs safely in cyberspace over the winter break:
1. Updated Antivirus and Security software is a necessity.
2. Be vigilant and monitor your child’s internet connection: set a password and allow children to surf the web only during the times when you can periodically check on their online activities. Set clear rules about the use of computers
3. Instruct kids on internet privacy: they should never supply personal data and details to strangers on the web and social networks
4. Control the web camera as it can be easily misused by criminals and strangers. Turn off or unplug your webcam when you don’t use it. There is malware that can access your webcam without you knowing about it. Check that the web camera is off when it should be. Have children use the camera only for approved communication: with known friends and family
5. On Facebook, if you or your child shares the wall with “Everyone” or “Friends of friends” then you have lost control of who has access to all data. If one uses apps on Facebook, and is not careful, then one may end up sharing also all private data with the world
6. The information posted on the internet does not go away. Do not assume that when you delete a photo or even the whole social network account that you have automatically deleted all the data forever. Pictures and information might be already saved on someone else’s computer. Children and parents should think twice about which pictures and details to put on the Internet.
For mor euseful tips on keeping your children safe online, click here