The Internet is an exceptionally powerful tool. It’s a source of entertainment, a means of communication, and an amazing educational resource. But getting the most from your time on the internet often means being aware not only of the opportunities it presents, but the challenges it throws up, too.

The children of today will grow up with the internet. It’s therefore essential that they understand how to use it safely. This means being conscious of online threats, and knowing what measures and habits can be effective in dissipating those threats.

But exactly what should we worry about, and what should we tell our kids to worry about? Let’s consider a few major challenges.

Recognizing Online Scams and Phishing Attempts

According to data from the Internet Crime Complaint Centre (IC3), around 300,000 reports from victims of phishing were received in 2022. This is certainly a huge underestimate of the true scale of the problem, since most scams go unreported.

The best defense against phishing is an attitude of healthy skepticism toward unsolicited texts, emails, and phone calls. Increasingly, phishers are using AI to generate convincing imitations of real people in our lives. Knowing this can be the difference between falling for a scam and avoiding one. Online training can help with understanding these in more detail and using a free email account that is secure can also assist filtering out spam and harmful emails.

Protecting Personal Information Online

Submit personal information online, and you run the risk that that information will be intercepted. That is, unless you take the necessary steps to keep your data safe. Use a password manager to ensure that all of your accounts are protected. Two-factor authentication, which makes use of your phone, can be a great way to keep yourself safe. 

Understanding and Spotting Misinformation

The internet is awash with information – but not all of the information we consume digitally is reliable. Being a good digital citizen, therefore, means being discerning about where news is coming from, and how algorithms might play a role in shaping our opinions.

Teaching Children About Online Safety

So, what difference should this make to the way that we educate children? To begin with, you’ll want to be honest about the nature of the various threats – and to do so in an age-appropriate way. Limiting access to certain parts of the internet, and social networks in particular, can be vital. These services are designed to cater to adult brains, rather than underdeveloped children’s brains.

Most social media sites and messaging apps come with age limits of around thirteen. However, there’s good evidence to suggest that any exposure to a smartphone is unhealthy for a high-school-aged child. Talk to the other parents at your child’s school and see if you can agree to wait until your children are in the eighth grade before buying them a smartphone.

There are a number of ‘dumb’ phones that will allow your child to enjoy many of the benefits of these devices, without experiencing the considerable drawbacks.