Smartphone Security for Kids: Protect them Online
The internet is vast, with online content covering almost every topic imaginable. Such expansive information is usually great, however it also means that there is dangerous material just around the corner; much of which is very much adult focussed. As children are increasingly going online for school projects, as well as for gaming and shopping, they are at risk of coming across the harmful content. This is even more of a concern for parents of children who have their own devices such as mobile phones and tablets. Therefore, keeping children safe online is an important consideration for all. Thankfully, there are a number of ways to protect children online, and here are 3 of the best:
- VPN for content control
Children are at their most vulnerable when online. In the past controlling what sites a child accessed was relatively simple. Children used the family computer and content blockers could be installed to restrict access. However, now that children have their own devices it is harder to install blocks. There is also the risk of the child’s device being hacked when they access the internet via public Wi-Fi. Thankfully, in addition to basic online security such as strong passwords, VPN security can come to the rescue by blocking certain content and by preventing hackers from accessing the child’s device.
- Make sure they are aware of the risks
Educating children about the dangers of the internet including the potential for cyber bullying, unsafe content, and the dangers of talking to strangers, is one of the best ways to ensure their safety when online. Children should not be prevented from accessing the internet altogether as it is an invaluable resource. However, by explaining to them that not all of the sites are safe, and by teaching them how to search and surf the web safely, it can reduce the risks that they are exposed to when online.
- Social media safety
The global phenomenon that is social media hasn’t skipped children, and now they are just as likely to have social media accounts as adults. Although social media is a great way to stay in touch with friends, and stay up to date with the latest news, just like anything online, it does come with risks. These risks include cyber bullying, fraudulent content, and access to age inappropriate content. To ensure the risk to children when using social media is low, parents can explain the risks to children and encourage them to use social media safely for example by not talking to strangers, not accepting friend requests from people they don’t know, and by using privacy settings to reduce the content that people can see.
