If a child falls on the playground and cuts her knee, it is easy to see where the injury is and to apply first-aid right away. If a child falls into a dark place in cyberspace, it is much more difficult to observe where the damage has occurred and to correct the problem. Technology is common everywhere, and kids and teens often learn how to meet and greet in the digital community at a quicker speed than adults do. In addition, the sorts of danger that exist online can be harder to detect because they are not always concrete, tangible entities. It may seem hard to believe, but it is never too early to start teaching internet safety to adolescents. Here are a few considerations as you prepare to approach the topic.

Invisible Dangers

One of the trickiest aspects of supervising the new global village is the inability to see exactly what is on the screen even if it is directly in front of you. Whether someone is using a desktop, laptop or hand-held personal device, you simply cannot stand over their shoulder twenty-four hours a day to watch what tabs are opened and closed. Likewise, young people are in many ways savvier at virtual operations than adults even if they do not grasp the reality of the risks, so they can hide or mask what they do not want you to read. A helpful option is taking back control with a Prometheus monitoring platform that can assist you in staying ahead of the cutting-edge technology your offspring may be using. The ability to understand what is happening beyond your immediate line of vision is crucial.

Emotional Dangers

The effects of incorrect super information highway use can be far-reaching even as they are hidden from plain sight. Cyberbullying, body-shaming and emotional harassment are just three examples of the traps that exist on the world wide web. The impact of these sorts of attacks can include increased anxiety, depression, or even thoughts of self-harm. The ease of storing conversations and comments lets a reader return to the taunts time and time again. Peer-to-peer technology is, in its most basic conceptualization, a wonderful idea, but unfortunately, those sorts of networks are not always used for sharing recipes or favorite songs. Naive and perhaps insecure youth are especially vulnerable to those who may prey on their lack of worldliness and need for acceptance. Likewise, the desire to feel good or popular might make school-aged hyperspace users susceptible to inappropriate or abusive content they innocently fall into. Familiarizing yourself with suggested guidelines for safeguarding your kids is another key place to begin.

Physical Dangers  

Even though the remote aggressor may not be in the same room or town as the victim, there are also physical dangers inherent in allowing your underage browsers free roaming access. The anonymity of online networking enables predators to become whomever they feel they need to be to lure children or teens into their trap. Those who seek to harm can manipulate the unsuspecting into saying or doing what they might not otherwise agree to. There are too many reports of unexpecting juveniles believing they are developing true, meaningful relationships with a stranger pretending to be someone else. Speaking to your youngsters about the realities of trafficking and threats of agreeing to face-to-face meetings will help them become aware of criminal exploitation associated with over-sharing personal information, pictures or private details.

Staying on top of the hazards that come along with surfing the net is a full-time job for anyone. Schools, families and community organizations should work in conjunction with one another to reinforce the critical life lessons needed to educate and protect minors. Regardless of if you are concerned about one individual or ten, there are plenty of resources available if you want to learn more. Just getting started with a one-on-one conversation may be the first step you need to take.