The Internet is an amazing invention, and it’s changed the world in more ways than we can even begin to imagine. The average person in today’s world can pull their smart phone out of their pocket, connect to the internet, and have access to all the knowledge that mankind has accumulated over the last few thousand years. It’s allowed us to talk to people from all over the world, play games, stream films and series, and so much more. Unfortunately, there are many out there that use the power of the Internet for more nefarious means.
This comes to the issue of children and the Internet, and how it can affect them, especially from an earlier age. While there have been some definitive studies on how kids and internet gel together, there is still much that isn’t known, and it can be a difficult situation for a parent that wants to provide their children with a healthy environment as well as safety.
The Dangers of The Internet
We’ve all heard the horror stories of people online who try and lure kids to them. This is often done through social media and online chats, and the reason it tends to be so prolific among children is due to their trustworthy natures – something that can only lead to danger. Not only that, but the internet also allows our children to visit sits that they have no place being on, sometimes even legally. This can be adult sites, casino sites that offer online pokies NZ, and much more.
There’s also the problem of cyber bullying, a problem that has only gotten worse over the years. The mask of anonymity allows people to say whatever they want online without having to deal with any immediate consequences, making it all to easy to bully someone. The problem that many parents face then is: do I cut my child off from the online world; possibly making them try harder to get on to the internet? Or do I instead lock some content off from them, and help them learn as much as possible?
Some Solutions
If you’ve got young children at home, it’s a good idea to learn how to lock certain websites. This can easily be done – many sites even offer a child-friendly option, allowing children to use the site without the worry of coming across content that might be too mature for them. Many modern modems, the devices that allow us to connect to the Internet, have special safety protocols that can block certain websites. This might be a bit tricky to learn, but it can be worth it, allowing you to cut off potentially harmful websites from your kids.
No matter what you do, children will always find a way, which is why education is perhaps the best policy. Teaching them about the dangers of the internet and the many denizens that inhabit it can help your child make better decisions overall, while also knowing not to give their details to strangers.
