Cybersecurity tips for kids
Nowadays children are spending most of their time online due to online classes. With online learning and recommended distance, kids will definitely spend more time online. Most of the youth affected by the attraction of the Internet are completely unaware of the harm it can cause. So parents have to take care about this and keep children away from the ill effects of internet.
Cyber security
From fraud to cyberbullying, there are many threats that your child is often affected by. Playing online games and taking online classes may seem harmless. But, you never know what happens when your child is using unsupervised equipment.
Nowadays kids under 16 spend an average of 3.5 hours on their mobile devices, you can’t keep track of them in the least amount of time. You have to help them understand the importance of cyber security.
If you want to need some security measures to keep your kids safe online, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.
Discuss the Importance of Staying Safe Online
The topic of cybersecurity may seem very complicated to the youth. However, it doesn’t happen. Explain web threats and cybersecurity in simple and child-friendly language.
You don’t get to contribute in big words, but use simple words to explain how Planet of the Webb works. The sooner you teach your child about cyber security, the more prepared they will be to explore it themselves.
If you think your child is savvy enough to know cyber security terms, there is something that will help you educate them. The FBI’s Safe Online Surfing website offers educational games about cyber security for third to eighth graders.
Explain how to protect their identity
“Child identity fraud or theft affects 25% of youth before the age of 18.” This is why you should teach your child how to protect his identity.
Explain to children that they should never reveal their name, telephone number, home address, or password. Children should be aware that this type of data should not be shared online. Neither on the website nor on the online forums nor on social media.
Limit Their Online Time
Keep an eye on your child’s use of the web. If they need limited internet time, they will have work time to get into trouble online. It is also worth mentioning that excessive amounts of computer use or screen time can lead to problems, anxiety and depression.
You can use apps that are dedicated to limiting screen time.
Apple also has a useful app that will help you with this problem. The Screentime app allows you to limit the use of certain apps and features.
Create Strong Passwords
Kids don’t think much about their passwords. They’ll use their birthday, the name of a pet, or something simple like that. They will also use the same password for all accounts. This further exposes their data.
Help your child create strong passwords. Use random words, upper and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols. Also, create different passwords for different accounts.
Use Security Software
If you don’t already have security software, get one. There are many paid and free security software available online.
Security software can prevent malware, hackers, and other threats from accessing your computing system.
As children search for websites or try to download files and their security is compromised, security software becomes necessary.
If you already have security software, you should confirm that it gets updated regularly.
Updates are necessary to keep your software up to date and running smoothly.
Secure Your Home Wireless Network
Online criminals can also target home wireless networks. That’s why you should take some extra steps to make sure your family, including your kids, are safe when they’re using your home Wi-Fi network.
Never keep your mobile number with WiFi password.
- Change the default name of your Wi-Fi
- Set a strong and unique password
- Never keep your mobile number with a WiFi password.
- enable network encryption
- change default IP address on the router
- Turn off the network when there is no reception
Guide the child not to click any unknown link
The Internet can seem like a world with endless possibilities. Children can easily become over-excited by clicking on links one after the other. An unknown link to any of them can often be a threat to their online security.