CYBER SAFETY OF CHILDREN

JOHN JOSEPH L. PUNO

The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) earlier reported that children’s increased time on the internet equates to increased threat on their safety and security in cyberspace. This was brought about by the prolonged community quarantine during the pandemic, which boosted the time of the children to use social media. Because the internet is vast, learners who are using the internet are at risk with the different forms of abuse. Children now use the internet for communicating with others, for recreation, or for online learning. The time and the luxury they have to engage on social media means they are at a great risk of cyberbullying or other cyber abuses, the agency said. It is important for parents now more than ever to make sure their children are safe when exposed to surfing online. As such, the DSWD, along with the Department of Education, is advocating digital parenting among parents and child carers as guidance for a cautious and responsible use of cyberspace. Parents should monitor their children's activity when browsing online. The DSWD launched the Family Development Session On-Air topics under the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program to teach guardians on how to regulate their children’s use of gadgets. Here, parents are educated on features that would restrict or block malicious sites on the Internet, and how to check sites visited by their children. The DSWD is also reiterating to parents the importance of establishing an open line of communication between parents and children, and within the family. Despite the guidelines, the most important thing is to have a strong relationship with their children to prevent the risk in the use of gadgets and the Internet. It is vital that the children are able to share and talk about their problems to their parents, the DSWD said. Parents could lessen the exposure of the children to gadgets by allowing them to do physical activities that would also serve as bonding time for the family.

-oOoThe author is Master Teacher I at Manibaug Libutad Elementary School