CYBERSECURITY is the defense against harmful attacks by hackers, spammers, and cybercriminals against internet-connected devices and services. Companies employ the procedure to safeguard themselves against phishing scams, ransomware attacks, identity theft, data breaches, and monetary losses.

Nowadays, the world relies more on technology than ever before, as you can see by looking around. This trend offers several advantages, from almost instantaneous Internet information access to the contemporary conveniences of remarkable home automation technologies and ideas like the Internet of Things.

It can be challenging to believe that potential risks which hide behind every gadget and platform when technology has brought us so much good. Nevertheless, despite how positively society views current advancements, cyber security concerns posed by contemporary technology pose a severe hazard.

The vulnerabilities in the gadgets and services we've grown to rely on are highlighted by the constant growth in cybercrime. Because of this worry, we must consider cyber security, why it's essential, and what we can learn about it.

The Significance of Educating Children about Cybersecurity
More often than many parents would like, children are online. The substantial rise in remote learning has made it more challenging than ever for parents to monitor their children's online behavior. Additionally, most parents don't always have the time to monitor their children's online behavior.

You can't monitor everything your child does on their smartphone and PC. Even if you can somehow do it, should you? Technology will be a significant part of their life from childhood to adulthood. They have the opportunity to build the skills they need to stay safe online during these formative years.

1. Discuss Privacy with Them

The allure of video games and social networking sites can frequently draw children's attention online. Remind them that they should never disclose personally identifiable information or financial details with online programs or services and show them how to differentiate between safe and harmful applications. Also, remind them that it is essential to protect their privacy.

Even though users of popular social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok are required to open an account, they must be at least 13 years old; a significant number of underage users nevertheless sign up. 

Communicate with your child about the repercussions of exposing personal information on social media and the dangers of communicating with unknown people online. Use the parental settings available on your child's gadget to keep an eye on what they are doing online.

2. Establish A Few Basic Internet Safety Guidelines for Children

The priority of these rules should be to ensure their safety, and they should typically take the form of instructions such as:

• Instruct your children that they must never reveal any personal information while using the internet. It includes their complete name, as well as their home address, place of education, and anything else that may put them at risk.
• Your kids need to know what a URL is, and you should also explain the dissimilarity between a secure website (HTTPS) and an unsecured one (HTTP).
• Have a conversation with your youngster before allowing them to download anything onto their computer. Malware can easily trick youngsters by masquerading as a game or video that they might wish to watch on their computer. 
• Even though you must show them how to differentiate between the two types of files, it is far simpler to start by requesting permission.

3. Build a Climate of Respect and Trust

In a perfect world, your children will always come to you and ask for assistance whenever they have concerns or questions regarding their safety while using the internet. Conversely, this isn't necessarily the case. 

Children may sometimes perceive that they may get into trouble if they ask for assistance. Imagine if your child disobeys one of your guidelines regarding appropriate online activity, and as a result, they become a victim of phishing or catfishing. 

If your kid confront with a challenging problem; if they come to you for guidance, they risk getting in trouble for disobeying the rules. Because of this, it is vital to let them know that you will always be there for them whenever they require your assistance.

Make it clear to your children that protecting their well-being is your priority. If something goes wrong, you should try to identify the good in the situation and learn from it together. Children may also be concerned that they have brought difficulties upon themselves or that their parents will not understand them. 

These are problems that can arise in both the traditional schoolyard setting as well as in the digital realm. It is always vital to allow your kids to talk about their feelings, and it is much more crucial to take their concerns seriously regarding matters like these.

Even though it doesn't seem like much to us, it could be a significant issue for them. The vital thing that parents can do for their kids is to set a good example for them to follow. Always practice safe and responsible behavior when you're online by ensuring your actions are appropriate. Also, try to restrict your time staring at a device when your children are present.

How to Protect Your Children's Online Safety?

The most considerable responsibility one will ever have is becoming a parent. You want to give your children the freedom to travel, discover who they are, and look for intriguing opportunities. But you must keep an eye on their safety and ensure they stay as far away from harm as possible.

That's why catching your children using a gadget can be so unsettling. Is that gadget a doorway to education and constructive development? Or is it putting them in uncomfortable circumstances?

You should be able to have a fruitful discussion about cybersecurity with your children using the advice provided above. You'll protect them and give them the tools they need to take care of their security.

• GPS Tracking: Always keep an eye on where your children are. You can draw a safe zone on your neighborhood map and receive alerts when someone leaves it.
• Controls for Screen Time: Manage your child's device usage automatically. You can use this to restrict how much time they spend playing games and using social media daily or to have them switch off their devices before bed.
• Protect Them From Harmful Content Filters: These filters will hide unsuitable content on YouTube and in web searches. The levels of restrictions can be adjusted to suit your youngster.

Oliver Goodwin

Oliver Goodwin is Seattle-based enthusiastic tech researcher. His passion for new and latest technologies makes him different from his peers. He is proficient in writing on a vast range of topics with extremely well-researched and well-structured data. His presentation skills and convincing power helps him win the trust of his clients. Apart from the technical side, he loves to travel and get exposure to amazing cultures and traditions.