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Kids are built different these days. It’s not surprising, considering they’ve been exposed to information technology from the crib. Today, kindergarteners are live-streaming, ordering stuff off Amazon, and whatnot. The amusing bit is that all this doesn’t even sound crazy anymore.
There’s no denying that the internet is an important part of our lives now. You cannot keep it out of reach or hide your kids away because it’s everywhere. Not to mention, getting acquainted with the internet from an early age has certain benefits.
On the other hand, we cannot turn a blind eye to rising cyberthreats, which puts our children in a vulnerable position. Should internet safety be a school subject? Absolutely! It’s not even up for debate.
Why Should Internet Safety be a School Subject?
Since the internet has become a staple for modern education, it should be supplemented with safety training at schools. While parents can keep an eye on their child’s online activities at home and exercise some control, they usually lack the time, skills, and resources to properly educate about internet safety.
Children at schools come from different backgrounds; their awareness of the internet and associated risks may vary. Learning about internet safety under one roof from qualified mentors with age-appropriate tools in an effective approach, owing to the classroom effect.
An optimized learning environment is fundamental to promote focus, information retention, understanding, and implementation, which is achievable in a school classroom. With internet safety as a school subject, teachers can fill in the gaps about cyberthreats and responsible online behavior.
Benefits of Teaching Internet Safety as a School Subject
Teaching children about internet safety at school will equip them with the knowledge required to identify cyberthreats and prevent cyberattacks. Additionally, they’ll know the right thing to do in case they are threatened or targeted by a cybercriminal. In summary, kids will:
- Be more cautious about sharing personal info on social sites
- Know better than to respond to messages from unknown/fishy sources
- Know where and how to report cyberbullying/online harassment
- Differentiate between safe and unsafe websites
- Employ safe browsing practices
- Use strong and unique passwords for online accounts
- Smartly manage real-time location and camera settings
- Distinguish between genuine and phishing emails/messages
- Avoid shady and age-inappropriate content
- Refrain from clicking on suspicious links
- Recognize fake news, false info, etc.
- Check for references or verify information to dodge scams
- Understand the potential consequences of their actions online
- Seek a trusted adult’s guidance or supervision in the event of a privacy concern
Cyber Safety Tips for Parents
Kids of the current generation are smart, so they’ll tell you that they know what they’re doing. Nonetheless, you should play an active role in ensuring their online safety. Here’s the bare minimum you can do to keep your child safe from the dangers of the internet:
- Set time limits for internet usage
- Install reliable anti-virus software on their devices
- Block unsafe and age-inappropriate websites
- Put restrictions on in-app purchases
- Keep a check on their social media accounts
- Subscribe to a reliable internet service with top-notch security features
Our Recommended ISPs with Top Security Features
- Verizon’s parental app Smart Family to manage accessibility
- Verizon Internet Security Suite to protect your network against online threats
- AT&T Secure Family® app to pause internet access or set time limit for specific devices
- ActiveArmorSM to filter content
- Xfinity app to manage internet access
- xFi Advanced Security for threat detection, safe browsing, and VPN encryption
Understanding the parental control features offered by internet service providers makes it easier for you to manage what your kids access online.
FAQs
What is internet safety?
Internet safety refers to various practices and precautions you can take to protect yourself from online threats, such as malware, identity theft, phishing attacks, etc.
Why do kids need to learn about internet safety?
Kids are usually easy to deceive and exploit, which makes them a popular target among cybercriminals. Learning about internet hazards and safety can help them become more vigilant and avoid falling victim to online scams.
