Simple steps for parents to navigate the online world
Carers are urged to embrace new digital era to protect kids
CYBERSAFEKIDS has warned parents of the dangers of buying smartphones and gaming devices for Christmas.
Head of education and innovation at the charity Philip Arneill, 49, said the online world should be treated like the real world to protect our kids.
The former teacher from Belfast called for a more open conversation at home around the dangers including sexting and cyberbullying.
By adopting simple steps parents can navigate the new technological reality.
Beware of every device
Parents and guardians should be mindful of potential dangers posed from any device.
Philip said: “Of the 12-year-old kids we surveyed last year, only 47% of them have smartphones.
“The smartphone is the third most popular device after tablets and games consoles.
“But a lot of the potential risks and harms that children come across online can equally occur through any kind of devices connected to the internet, like a games console or a tablet.”
Delay phones
Once phones go outside the house, you can’t monitor them.
He explained: “Ask yourself, ‘What would a nine-year-old really need a smartphone for?’
“You’ve got to buy it with these things in mind, do I understand the safety features, whether that’s a Google device or an Apple device.”
Get involved
Knowing what your child is playing is crucial.
He said: “Parents have to be involved. Are they spending any money on those devices?
“If you’re giving your child access to the online world, you’re also giving the online world access to your child.
“If their device doesn’t have locks or controls on it you don’t know who is contacting them.”
Get savvy
Philip insisted if parents aren’t technologically literate, it’s not an excuse.
He said: “We live in this digital world. It’s not going away whether we like it or not.
“Parents need to ask, ‘What apps or games are popular, what are the benefits and the risks of being online?’ “There are free resources available. “Burying your head in the sand or limiting all access to anything is not really an effective way to do it.”
5. Knowledge is power
Devices aren’t bad in themselves if we understand what they do.
He said: “The fear is when kids go online, or they become old enough that they have the ability to go online themselves, where are the guardrails going to be?
“If you use an analogy of a car, if you didn’t teach them to drive at 16 and then just gave them their keys at 21.
“They’re not going to magically drive because of their age, they still need to learn. Treat technology like learning how to drive.”
6. Free online tools
Cybersafekids.ie/ elearning is a free course developed for parents or adult caregivers.
Philip added: “The course covers the basics, developing digital literacy around misinformation, fake news, cyberbullying, gaming.
“PEGI is the European website for gaming. Common Sense Media is another good place to go.” 7. Beware of the risks
Cybersafekids trends and usage report found that in the eight to 12 age group, 25% reported that they had some experience of cyber bullying.
He said: “Kids might get nasty messages or be left out of groups, 25% of these kids have experienced this by the age of 12.
“That increases in post primary schools up to 40%. Inappropriate content is another one and potentially problematic contact from strangers.
“The answer is a combination of education and legislation.”
8. Keep communication open
The Same Rules Apply Campaign highlights how we should treat the online world as the real world.
Philip said: “You wouldn’t send your child off to the shop not knowing where they’re going.
“People still talk about the real world but the online world is the real world for children.
“If they know that they can come and talk to you or ask for help, without getting punished or having their devices taken away, that is a powerful thing.” 9. Open dialogue on sexting and image sharing
Philip Arneill from Cybersafekids
There’s a natural curiosity around sexuality but the online world has made it easier to access inappropriate content. He said: “The ability to screenshot, save and share these images is something that online technology has facilitated. “Talking to your kids about whether it’s appropriate to share these images is important. “Young people sharing more intimate pictures of themselves and sexting is common. “Kids need to be cognisant that whatever they put online will stay there
We live in this digital world. It’s not going away
forever. Sexting and inappropriate images being sent around is getting worse due to smartphones.”
10. Get online to mitigate cyberbullying
Cybersafekids are receiving calls from some primary schools on the rise of cyberbullying and image sharing.
Philip revealed: “We regularly get calls from primary schools.
“For instance, an Instagram account had been created in one such school, which used the name of the school and inappropriate images were being shared.
“We’ve come across instances of really inappropriate and explicit content being shared in Whatsapp groups or Snapchat groups where the pupils were as young as eight or nine.
“We’ve seen groups where kids are being excluded or designed to slag them off.
“The question has to be, how do you prepare children and young people as best as we possibly can to live in a world where the online element is so prevalent, whether that’s for work, or for school, or for entertainment.”
See Cybersafekids.ie
The online world is the real world for children