Seven ways to keep kids safe online

The Internet has many advantages and disadvantages. Nevertheless, it offers in-depth knowledge to several users, including young people. It is for this reason that children must be supervised at all times when they are online to protect them from the dangers of the Internet.

A cybersecurity expert, Olugbenga Odeyemi, noted that parents should take notice of what their children are consuming on the Internet and streamline children's Internet access for those who are beneficial.

He noted that over time, experts have realized the difference between parents who are willing to train their children early in internet use and those who are unaware information and exposure.

He said, "The internet is like s3x, sooner or later your kids will get to know it. Either you teach them how to use it properly early on, or you wait until they have learned the things you avoid."

The expert, however, listed ways parents can keep their children safe online.

Introduce them to Internet education

Odeyemi explained that parents need to learn about digital tools and ensure their children start early education.

He noted that in his organization, parents often impose their technological naivety on their children, adding that this often leads to unnecessary fears about technology and the internet.

He added, "What education does for parents is help them understand the tools available and keep them abreast of technological happenings. A good education helps children channel their knowledge in the right direction. It is said that when the purpose of a thing is not known, abuse is inevitable.''

Create child accounts

He explained that when configuring the computer, phones and tabs, it should be configured according to the age of the child, because most platforms have a built-in feature to prevent children from doing what adults do online. He noted that creating an account with his details and giving it to children would put them at risk.

Link the child's account to yours

"When setting up a child account, also set up an adult account to manage the child. Or attach the new child account to your existing adult account. This ensures that whenever they want to change the settings or go beyond what is available for children, you will be notified."

He further advised parents to monitor children's activities, not by monitoring them, but by paying attention to what they are doing and what content they are consuming. He also said it was important for parents to be internet educated. "Some of these popular platforms send a weekly or monthly summary of the child's account activity," he said.

Buy age-appropriate devices

There are phones, tabs and computers specially designed for children. Buying adult devices from children would put them at risk.

Pay attention to age groups

Odeyemi noted that it is relevant for parents to take note of the age ratings of the content their children consume. He explained that media content comes with age ratings for certain reasons to ensure the right content only for the right age group.

He said: "This is valid for anime, video games, cable TV channels, music, movies, software, internet devices and websites. When 'Cartoon is rated nine years and older, do not allow children under the age of nine to view it. These numbers are not mere labels. When hip-hop music is rated 18, a parent/guardian /school should not allow children under the age of 18 to listen and dance to this music. Children pay attention to words and actions and we must do everything as responsible adults to protect them."

Be the first example

He said parents should be careful about the content they consume online, especially around children. Odeyemi said, “If you can't stop your bad habits, do well to make sure you keep them away from your children or the children around you. Children often do what adults do, not what adults say. »

Talk to a professional

The expert, who said many African parents are too religious, noted that parents shouldn't label anything they don't understand as demonic or evil.

He noted, "They will eventually know more than you, whether you like it or not. It will help you a lot if you build trust by responding to unknowns from an informed point of view at instead of making baseless accusations. Before accusing your children, be sure to seek professional advice."

Odeyemi also advised parents to go beyond conventional school education and be open to learning. He noted that some kids in his organization were already b...