current internet problems

Internet safety is a relevant discussion even with today’s kids. With the availability of technology, not only are kids exposed to a wealth of information and communication opportunities but also exposed to material considered dangerous and even illegal. In some cases, the issue can affect their well-being, while, in other cases, it may affect their mental health as they continue to roam free on the Internet. This article will help you find answers if you have questions on how to keep kids safe online and how children’s internet safety can be improved. What Problems are Present on The Internet Currently? Computer safety for kids is a complex topic due to the risks attached to online surfing. Even kids younger than eighteen are freely allowed to surf the web. It is therefore highly possible to get exposed to issues such as cyberbullying, sexting, and even identity theft through the Internet. But online safety for kids should be everyone’s priority that can be made easier if you know the problems that come with it. So let’s take a look at the dangers present on the internet. These are: Let’s see how each of these affects kids, particularly their mental health and physical well-being. a. Cyberbullying Cyberbullying is a form of harassment done through electronic or digital media, including email, texts, voice messages, social media posts, etc. And the toxic culture of social media is to be blamed for it. Because anyone can seek the name of someone they don’t like and message them by making a phony profile, social media is one of the main causes of cyberbullying. Additionally, they can single out a specific person and comment on their appearance, physique, etc. People who struggle with body image and lack confidence should avoid these comments and threatening communications because they could reinforce their unfavorable opinions of themselves. It all starts to make sense if you look at the stats and realize just how prevalent cyberbullying has gotten over the last few years. b. Inappropriate Content Inappropriate content includes the following: Inappropriate content is one of the leading threats posed by the Internet to kids simply because of its abundance. Violent and sexual content can severely impact a child’s mental development as their minds are still developing, and such content can cause distress and wreak emotional havoc. Offensive language, racist remarks, hate speech and violent or sexual imagery can be especially devastating to kids because kids are sensitive to their environment and highly impressionable. More than 55% of tweens (kids aged 10–12) have been exposed to violent content on the internet, and almost 60% have come across adult content that includes sexual texts and images. c. Fake News The internet, especially social media is a primary source of false information in today’s society, due to its ability to reach so many individuals. Social media serves as a haven for false assertions and unsupported claims. As most social media platforms cannot fully control what gets posted, it is hard to stop fake news from spreading like wildfire. Kids reading fake information will most likely take it at face value and when others try to correct them, they will become defensive and won’t believe them. This causes confusion and mistrust and can push kids down the road of conspiracy theories and false rhetoric. d. Online Predators Online predators are quite common on the Internet. Online predators are adults who want to gain sexual favors from kids or exploit them for entertainment. And anyone who is not an adult can be a victim of online predators because they are good at hiding their motives and intentions behind a veil of lies and deceit. Girls make up the majority (78%) of young victims of online luring, whereas males make up the majority (82%) of online predators. And the scariest bit of all, 98% of online predators have never actually met the kids they prey on. It is terrifying because anyone can become a victim of these individuals. So what can parents do to improve children’s online safety? 7 Safety Tips For Parents To Keep Their Kids Safe Online Follow these tips to know how to keep kids safe online. 1. Minimize The Time Your Kids Spend Online Limiting your children’s use of their phones is one of the best methods to keep them off the internet. The majority of global online traffic is generated by smartphones. And 54% of all web traffic in the fourth quarter of 2021 came from mobile devices. Therefore, setting limits on how much time they spend on their phones is a good idea. Establishing time zones during which children can use their smartphones to browse the Internet will keep them under supportive eyes. This strategy allows parents to track how frequently kids use their phones. Arrange some activities on the weekends, such as picnics or pop trivia nights. It will help pass the time and take your thoughts off of the Internet. It helps kids become less dependent on their devices and instead participate in physical activity or spend time with the family. 2. Teach Kids Better Online Safety Social media has become a must-have for kids and teens. They use it for their daily communication, sharing funny posts, and keeping updated with current events. Talk to your children about good social media habits and online practices. Encourage them to be aware of their feelings before, during, and after using social media. Talk about how they’re feeling, whether it’s good or bad. You can assist them with resolving issues, setting social media limits, and utilizing privacy and content filtering capabilities. Teach them the ropes, lead by example and show what kind of content you post online and what security settings you use. So let’s help kids stay safe online by becoming more empathetic to their woes. 3. Use Parental Control Apps Monitoring apps are helpful since they offer a wide range of capabilities that can keep kids safe in several situations. They provide kids with online safety tools that parents