E-safety Tips To Keep Your Child Safe Online

Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying is simply bullying that takes place through electronic devices or phones, Internet, etc. It is an online behaviour where people send threatening messages to the receiver, and it is a problem that is rising.

Prevention is always better than the cure when it comes to cyberbullying. Help your child understand the consequences of what they share online and encourage them to be “kind online”.

If they are the target of cyberbullying, be sure to keep all messages as evidence and block the bullies on social networks.

Sexting

The social network is an open field for sharing pictures and messages, and kids have quick to pick the wrong aspect of this. Sexting is one of such aspects.

Sexting or “sex texting” is simply sending and receiving of sexually explicit or suggestive photos, video or messages through the Internet or cell phone.

In the name of sending selfies, teens, pre-teens relatively nude photos or videos of themselves in the bathroom, in bed simulating sex acts. Text messages or SMS that suggest or refers to sex acts is also sexting.

There are many reasons why young people get involved in sexting; exploring sex and relationship or pressure from a partner or friends. But many teens, especially girls see it as a joke or a way of getting attention or proving a point to their peers.

As a parent, having an open and honest conversation about it can help your young children, especially teens, to understand the implications of sending a nude images and highlight that it is illegal. Once the photos are videos are sent out, they may never be retrieved as it is difficult to trace who might have copied or saved it.

Let your kids follow the rule –“if mum can’t see it, it can’t be sent!” let them know their boundaries and the consequences and possibility of damaging their personalities and family name.

If your child has sent a nude image and it has been put online; report it to appropriate authorities and contact the helpline of the social network to seek help on how to get all known copies removed from the internet.

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