Digital Communication technologies, such as the Internet and smartphones, have become a staple in everyday life, especially among children. Bt what about the threats children face online?
The youth of today have been exposed to these technologies their entire lives. Hence, they are more frequent and avid internet users than previous generations.
However, internet usage growth among children comes with plenty of risks and threats. As a result, many parents are wondering what they can do to protect them from the dangers of the internet.
In this article, we’ll talk about the five biggest threats children face online and provide simple and effective solutions to keep them safe.
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The 5 Biggest Online Threats Children Face
1. Inappropriate Content
Let’s begin with the most obvious threat – inappropriate content. Today, the internet has no shortage of explicit or sexual content on websites, apps, games, or social media.
Children can easily stumble upon it accidentally or out of curiosity using their smartphones. Here are some stats to give you an idea of how big of a threat this is:
- According to Guardchild, nearly 90% of kids ages 8-16 have seen porn. 70% have encountered sexual imagery or videos accidentally while searching for something else.
- According to the Conversation, nearly 37% of online media for kids (TV shows, games, etc.) contains physical or verbal violence.
2. Talking to Strangers
Connecting with strangers online is a popular practice among people of all ages, especially on social media.
However, children are more gullible than adults, meaning they can be manipulated into sharing personal information or doing something they shouldn’t. Here are some interesting stats:
- According to a survey by Savvy Cyber Kids, around 43% of children ages 8-13 talk to strangers online on social media, games, and forums.
- According to research by Courier Mail, nearly 38% of children ages 8 and above share personal info online with strangers, including their surnames, contact number, and address.
3. Hacking
Devices used by children are typically more prone to malware and other types of Cybersecurity threats.
Since most kids remain blissfully unaware of the dangers looming on the internet, they can easily fall victim to hackers.
Here are some interesting statistics:
- According to a study by Social Catfish, teens are more likely to fall for online scams compared to seniors.
- According to TRT World, phishing attacks on children have risen by over 144% since 2022.
4. Cyberbullying
Bullying is just as much of a threat online as it is in the real world.
Whether it’s harmless name-calling, religious/racial discrimination, harassment, or physical threats, cyberbullying can lead to physical and mental health issues.
In response to such threats, one might consider filing a protective order. However, it’s important to be aware that the perpetrator can still mount a protective order defense.
Here are some interesting stats related to cyberbullying:
- According to the Pew Research Center, 59% of US teens have experienced cyberbullying.
- According to Google’s Be Internet Awesome Report, teachers claim that cyberbullying is the leading online threat students face in the classroom.
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5. Technology Addiction
Technology addiction recently made the list of behavioral addictions common in children.
Whether it’s gaming, streaming, or social media use, children are spending most of their time plugged into their devices and the internet.
This is leading to serious behavioral and health issues, including insomnia, anger, aggressiveness, depression, and poor diets.
Here are some interesting stats related to technology addiction in children:
- According to a survey by Psycom, around 46% of teens use the internet almost constantly.
- According to Game Quitters, nearly 8.5% of kids and teenagers are addicted to online gaming.
Useful Tips for Parents to Keep their Children Safe Online
Talk About the Dangers of the Internet Openly
The first thing we recommend is talking to your children about the dangers lurking on the internet. Discuss with them the best social media practices, such as not sharing personal information online, speaking to strangers, and reporting bullies.
Check Devices Regularly
As a parent, you need to keep track of your children’s time on the internet and keep control of their digital footprint. You can do this by actively checking your children’s phones, laptops, and other devices.
Make sure you go through their history and usage to look for any red flags so you can take appropriate action.
Photo by Patricia Prudente on Unsplash
Secure Your Network and Your Kids’ Devices
One of the best ways to protect your kids online is by securing your network and your kids’ location. Many modern apps and games have geo-tagging features that could put them in danger.
Therefore, we recommend opting for a virtual private network. In case you don’t know what does VPN mean, it’s a tool that allows you to secure your network traffic and IP address. This can protect you and your kids from hackers.
Also, make sure you equip all devices with other Cybersecurity solutions, such as anti-malware or password managers.
Wrapping Up
Now that you’re aware of the biggest threats children face online, you can take more proactive steps to ensure their safety.
Internet usage among children will continue to rise in the future.
Therefore, it’s up to you to educate them about online threats and control their digital footprint.
For more reads related to online safety and solutions for parents and children, tune into Mom Does Reviews.
