In: Psychology
The newest threat to children’s' safety and identity is the exposure to the darker side of the internet. They are not as well equipped to deal with such issues and the consequences of such issue. Some of these potential issues are as follows:
• Inappropriate contact: from people who may wish to abuse, exploit or bully them.
• Inappropriate conduct: on their own and others’ online behavior, making public of the personal information like; on social networking sites. The kids can also become cyberbullies, especially when encouraged by others.
• Inappropriate content: accessing sexually explicit, racist, violent, extremist or other harmful material
• Commercialism: being the targets of aggressive advertising and marketing messages.
• Gaining access to your personal information like; financial details such as payment card information, stored on your computer, mobile device or games console, and passing it on to others
The most reliable safeguard is this situation is being vigilant i.e. never allowing the kids to browse when alone. Making kids realize that ‘If you wouldn’t do it face to face - Don’t do it online’. For example, if we don’t like talking to strangers we should not entertain them online as well. Lastly to; ‘start discussing online safety at an early age’.