How to Celebrate Safer Internet Day February 11, 2025
The internet has so many benefits for children and youth. It is a great learning tool when used for homework or when exploring various topics. It can be a place where children can play learning games. It makes having family members that live far away much less difficult. For youth, it is a way to connect with one another and have fun! With all of the benefits of the internet, parents and educators know that the internet was not designed with children and youth in mind and that there are risky aspects of the internet and internet connected devices of all kinds.
Communicating with children and youth about the risks online is important. Just as we remind our teens when they begin driving to watch out for other careless drivers, to keep the music low enough to not be distracted, and even which routes are less busy or challenging, we need to give kids tools to use to be as safe as possible online.
A good time to have these conversations is while using the internet together. When you see a funny video and share it with your child, you can say something like, “You know that not all videos that kids can access are meant for children.” You may be surprised at what they may have already been exposed to. For example, in 2023, 58% of teens had unintentionally seen online pornography and 15% were under 10 years old the first time it happened. You can prepare children by letting them know that if they see something online that is upsetting, you will help them. This takes away their worry that they will be restricted from their devices at the first sign of trouble.
Additionally, adults who know a child in person and adults who are strangers have used digital communication with youth to harm them. Researchers learned in 2023 that 27% of teens had experienced an online sexual interaction with someone they thought was a teen and 29% had a similar interaction with someone they knew to be an adult. It is good to share with youth that it would be unexpected and risky if someone online (whether or not they are known in person) asks for suggestive images or sends nudes. You can share that this does happen and that you can help if it does.
Open communication with children and youth about the risks online is the best prevention possible. As parents and concerned adults, it is good to become comfortable with these conversations so that as issues arise, our kids will feel supported. This will mean that they do not have to deal with it alone. If you want to learn more about how to keep children and youth safe online, attend one of our virtual trainings.
NetSmartz has resources on internet safety for children and parents.