Are parents fully aware of internet safety?
Recent years have seen a sharp increase in the reporting of cyberbullying across the U.K.'s media. The case of West Midland teen, Natasha MacBryde, whose suicide has, in part, been blamed on cyber bullying has scandalised the country.
The UK is slowly being shaken out of its complacency, with people awakening to the fact that we now live in a digital age. As adults, we are used to information and communication arriving through a bewildering number of channels. The rise of smart phone usage and always on Internet services drives a steady flow of digital information into our day-to-day lives. The Internet is like any other tool, it can be set to good or malicious ends. In the wrong hands it can be a tool for bullying; one that follows the victim everywhere and can be difficult to escape.
We all feel the pressure to be connected 24/7 with digital communication forms becoming the backbone of many of friendships. How horrific to be treated badly by people through such mechanisms. Thankfully the government and schools have realised that this dangerous situation needs tackling, and has stepped in to educate our children in the safe use of such tools.
What can we as parents do to help fight this problem? How can we keep ourselves current with the bewildering pace of technological change and so understand the challenges our children may face? Are their general rules to which we can subscribe, that will stand us in good stead despite ever changing circumstances?
Research shows that one in three children in the UK have been targeted by cyber bullies.
The UK government has published a list of guidelines for those tackling cyber bullying. This will help parents present a united front to protect children against the dangers of the Internet. Basic advice for internet and mobile phone safety is for children to never give out personal information, like mobile phone numbers, addresses or e-mail online. Technological solutions are available such as age restriction software that can be enabled in Apple's Internet devices and internet filtering software for computers.
Nothing, however, can beat a hands on approach. For young children internet safety can only truly be achieved with supervised access. Whilst it is possible to obtain software that will limit access to particular areas of the Internet nothing can replace a parents guiding hand. It is a terrific opportunity to learn about the Internet together and establish a dialogue for the later years, when they fly solo and problems may occur.
Try to keep abreast of current technologies.
Though the building blocks of the internet; websites, email, instant messaging, social networking and forums remain constant, new ways to interact with them constantly appear. Beyond a certain age enlisting your child in your own internet education is a powerful way to keep the dialogue open. Impress on your child that all instances of cyberbullying should be reported as fear of making the situation worse may paralyse victims. If your child does become a target fast action can then be taken to change mobile numbers, login details and block malicious callers hopefully nipping problems in the bud.