Dangers on the Internet: 5 tips for children and adolescents to navigate safely

Currently, the use of the Internet is one of the most common habits among 

.

Although it can be a source of learning, entertainment and

for them , it also exposes them to many risks.

It is for this reason that

have increasingly important challenges, since although it is essential to teach them to read and understand the

, they must also accompany and guide them to

and the overwhelming information with which can be found. 

In this context, from

, a proactive threat detection company, they shared

for responsible adults to accompany the youngest towards a

.

Currently, the use of the Internet is one of the most common habits among children and adolescents.

Photo: Martin Bonetto

5 tips to help kids and teens navigate safely

1. Set up a strong authentication method

Just like adults, kids need to learn how to

.

It is important to explain to them why they should be used and kept private.

And that they are even important for your video games, since a strong password can

from anyone who tries to steal it.

“Consider

, rather than simple, easy-to-guess words.

These types of passwords consist of several words but are not long or so complex to memorize.

Something like "HarryPotterY5DinoNuggies!"

it is much better than 'cherry', for example”, commented 

, Head of the ESET Latin America Research Laboratory.

It is important to emphasize that passwords 

, and you should help them (if necessary) to activate the extra layer of protection, known as

-factor authentication, that most online services offer.

2. Personal information should not be shared on the networks

There are older teens who don't always understand the full consequences of

, or the risk of becoming a victim of phishing.

Explain to them that

and that if a friend sends something through WhatsApp or Telegram, before clicking on the link they should always confirm that the friend really sent it, that the link is valid and sure, or if it's spam.

And, above all, that they know that

, ID, address or

.

It's important that kids know that passwords should never be shared with anyone.

Photo: Juano Tesone

3. Personal data is valuable

Growing up in the digital age, many kids understand that

, whether it's on a government platform or a parent's social media profile showing off to their little ones. 

On the other hand, it is important that they understand

.

It should be mentioned that they are valuable for companies as it allows them to profile them, that social networks use them to target ads, that governments are useful for collecting information about their citizens and, ultimately, that the data is useful for cybercriminals who can use them for different types of fraud.

4. Sharing is not always thinking about the other

In a way, mobile devices like computers, smartphones, and tablets may have added new meaning to the concept of "

."

But the truth is that computers were built to be used by individual users and not to be shared.

Teens may not know this and

when showing pictures, playing mobile video games, or "just checking something on TikTok."

If this happens,

.

Not only for security to avoid not-so-funny pranks, but also to protect your private information.

And, just in case, also remind them to

they don't know, and that this is not up for debate.

You have to explain to the kids that they should never open links sent by people they don't know.

Photo: Shutterstock

5. Beware of strangers

Another topic that both parents and educators should not avoid is "

and reminding them that

.

Kids should know that there 

 are bad

The more information children share, the greater the potential harm;

in other words, the more likely it is that adults with bad intentions can

.

Teach children to be careful, not only with people they don't know, but

.

Teach them the meaning of concepts like

, and how strangers take the time to build fake friendships and trick teens into

, which can be intimidating, scary, and even potentially hurtful physical.

Grooming

occurs when

 through the Internet and, through manipulation or deception, hides their identity and their status as an adult and gets the child to perform actions of a sexual nature

It can occur through any digital means that allows interaction between two or more people, such as social networks, email, text messages, chat sites, online game pages, among others.

“Regarding prevention,

.

Enable the word, generate an environment of

", advised the educational mentor of Argentina Cibersegura, Romina Cavallo.

"It is important

, for example if the

,

, if they lock themselves up or

, if their school performance has dropped, if they move away from their friends or if

," he warned.

Meanwhile, he stressed that from

they always recommend "

, since it is more effective

, so that they know how to act when they have to make their own decisions."

Technology-wise,

can, among other things,

.

Importantly, this software is best seen as a form of care, rather than some kind of imposed control.

It can be

, at least until they are older and can fend for themselves.

At the end, from Eset they pointed out that it can be challenging to guide the boys through the dangers of the physical and virtual world.

It is difficult even for adults.

"To get the message across, you don't want to condemn them for the apps they use or the games they play. It's best to join them by helping them

and

. "

"Creating accounts, sharing content, discussing possible dangers and making your own experience part of the conversation, that's ideal," added the ESET Latin America researcher.

LN

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