Most of us are familiar with the famous legend of Hamline, the Pied Piper. Dressed in multicoloured clothing, he had a special pipe that hypnotised innocent children, trapping them all into momentary musical pleasure. Their parents did not have the power to stop him; naturally, they watched children walking after him under his spell. 

Pied Piper has evolved from simply being a legend to becoming a part of our everyday lives in the 21st century. Instead of the melody, our children are hypnotised by the extravagant virtual world. Today the internet has seeped into our lives, profoundly influencing and affecting almost all our everyday activities. Therefore, it has taken a deviation from utility to necessity. On the brighter side, it has transformed the world into a close-knit community while inviting the vulnerable section of the society into the darker side of cyberspace. 

According to UNICEF, more than 1/3rd of children in over 30 countries have experienced cyberbullying, and 1/5th have skipped school. Over 80% of children in 25 countries have felt imperilled by online exploitation. 

Although there are downsides to excess internet usage and visibility, with caution and limitation, children can safely surf and learn, know and discover various aspects, which would have been impossible without the internet.  

What can you do as a parent to protect your child from cyber threats?

Protecting children from danger is innate in parents. Whether holding hands while crossing the road or choosing a school with a safe and stimulating environment, you should take all the appropriate steps, and the same can be done in the cyber world.  

1. Observe

Observe your children and analyse the time spent browsing. Analyse how much time they spend learning a new skill or entertainment for educational purposes. Be cautious of their changing behaviour pattern, as when one is addicted becomes impulsive and restless. 

2. Have a conversation

Narrate a few case studies not to scare them but to inform them of cyberbullying, phishing, trolling, scamming, identity theft and more. Have a chat regarding smart usage and share a few things you have learnt or discovered on the internet. 

3. Set ground rules

Establish ground rules concerning screen time and dos and don’t, such as sharing certain photos or information on the internet without prior consultation. More importantly, guide them through virtual empathy; children will be more sensitive, mindful and respectful towards others online.

4. Enable parent control

Enabling parental control will help you set online curfews and keep you updated on online activities, such as browsing time and content accessed. A few applications will allow you to set a timer; if your child surpasses the appointed time, it blocks the computer/application. 

5. Giving Your Children Trust And Respect

Allowing your children some space to explore, trust and respect them as they use the internet is essential since it will help them open up and share any problems they face.  

Here are a few internet safety tips for kids: 

• Be informed of cyber threats such as bullying, phishing, scamming, identity theft and more.
• Do not tolerate bullies or hackers, or blackmailers. Take immediate action by reporting or blocking. If nothing works, take the parents’ assistance.
• Do not respond to emails or texts from strangers.
• Do not click on unknown links or open attachments.
• Never accept to meet anyone you meet online.
• Do not share your private information with anyone online. 

Virtual protection for your children should be your top priority in a world with extensive internet usage.

We at Ekya schools emphasise that the dangers possessed by the dark side of the internet are unforeseeable. Our expert teachers take the necessary precautions to build a safe and fun learning environment for your children.