Why parental guidance is advised when it comes to your children and the internet

Children these days have a very different relationship with technology than any other generation before. Smartphones, tablets, and computers have become a staple of everyday life, but the dangers that exist on the internet are still ever-present. Parents are expected to be the watchdog in the household and ensure that their children don’t fall victim to the pitfalls of the internet.

The world of the internet is complex and a child can easily become lost if they don’t know the basics to help guide them along the way. One of the first things they should develop is a sense of caution. Parents need to explain the importance of safeguarding their personal information and the consequences of not doing so. They should ensure that children know to never share their address on any website and warn them about using applications that share their current location.

Take an interest

Parents also need to take an active interest in their child’s online life. They should not only ask their children who they’re talking to but also what they’re talking about. If they try to avoid the subject or begin to act evasive, it’s time to intervene and check yourself to see what they’ve been doing.

You can also take precautions against harmful websites by installing software to limit their exposure to certain sites. Parents need to know who their child’s friends are on the websites they frequent and they can even take the time to get the numbers of these friends’ parents.

It may seem like these measures infringe on a child’s right to privacy, but the truth is that the safety and security of your child will always outweigh their right to privacy. It remains a parent’s responsibility to keep them from harm, even if that means sacrificing some level of privacy.

Children and social media

Social media is inescapable in this day and age. Many children already have a social media account by the age of 10. A 2019 study by Ofcom (UK) on Children and Parents: Media Use and Attitudes has shown that nearly 18% of children aged between 8 and 11 have a presence on social media. This increases to a staggering 69% for children aged 12 to 15.

These statistics make it clear that parents need to play an integral role in their child’s relationship with social media. If your child wants to create a social media profile, take the time to set it up with them. Explain to them that it comes with its own set of responsibilities, chief amongst those being vigilance. They need to always be cautious, as not everyone on the internet is who they say they are. Instil in them the principle that they should never, not under any circumstance meet someone in person who’ve they been speaking to online.

Predators can be hiding in plain sight. In February 2020, the South African Police Service’s Serial and Electronic FCS Investigation (SECI), which is a specialized section within Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences (FCS) launched an extensive operation to apprehend five alleged sexual predators across Gauteng for child pornography.

This prompted the South African Police Service (SAPS) to appeal to parents; asking them to employ strict measures to ensure that children don’t fall victim to these predators. They reiterated the importance of parental supervision in terms of children’s use of social media and messaging platforms also reminded them that applications such as WhatsApp and Facebook have age restrictions of 13 years stipulated within their term of service that prohibits children under the age of 13 from accessing these applications.

The over-usage of social media has also been shown to affect the mental health of users. This becomes even more prevalent with children who spend hours on these sites, comparing themselves to classmates and social media influencers.

The same study by Ofcom also found that there was a significant portion of children aged 12 to 15 who were adversely affected by their use of social media. Nearly 78% of children admit that they felt pressure to look popular. This constant desire to appear a certain way can lead to a slew of negative emotions, which if left unchecked, can deteriorate into depression.

Always be mindful of what your child is doing, even when it might be easier to turn a blind eye. It could be the day they needed your discretion the most, so don’t neglect your parental duty.

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