The introduction of the internet, especially social media, exposes children and all internet users to different numbers of potentially harmful content and other content, which requires the implementation of safety measures to ensure the safety of all users. The latter is in addition to the increased prevalence of social media and other social platforms among children, which increases the potential benefits and harm for children, especially in the use of social media. The benefits and the potential risks associated with using the internet call for implementing different security strategies to analyze the benefits of continued use and the potential dangers children are exposed to with social media. The article is an introduction to the different types and ways of ensuring the safety of children while using social media platforms and how parents can ensure their children’s safety while using the internet and various social media platforms.
Educating children on the importance of internet safety
The internet contains diverse contents, making it an essential and wonderful place where children can learn, play games, shop, and even talk to their friends. Unfortunately, the latter includes predators, online scammers, and identity thieves who are determined to use social media platforms to harm children who are novice users and have little idea of the risks and other potential harms of using the internet and specific social media platforms. Therefore, the first step in ensuring safety is teaching children about the potential risks of using particular social media platforms and their interactions with certain corners of the internet.
One of the platforms which can help parents and children learn about the dangers and the potential benefits of interacting with the internet is the Trust and Safety platform which contains guidelines on the importance of ensuring internet safety and how kids, even those who claim to know the internet, can benefit. The advantage of talking and educating children about the significance of the internet or social media safety can have far-stretched benefits, which can ensure protection even in the advanced use of the internet and social media platforms and can protect children from different kinds of internet risks which can lead to other types of challenges like mental health problems, depression and others which are prevalent with the continued use of the internet.
The establishment of rules and setting limits for internet and social media usage
The use of the internet can be addictive, which is why parents need to establish rules and limits to both internet and social media usage and can include strategies like the establishment of screen time limits, the implementation of strategies for monitoring the activity of children online and the parental encouragement of children to take breaks from using social media and other internet resources and engage in other activities. An example of establishing rules and limits can be found in Trust and Safety in the metaverse, which explains and guides how parents can benefit from controlling their children’s social media and internet usage.
The establishment of rules and limits for the use of the internet and social media platforms opens an opportunity for parents to take control of the internet usage for their children, which is not only a way of getting power but also a way of monitoring and ensuring the safety of their children in the internet.
Using privacy settings and encouraging the safe online behavior
The use of the internet is associated with several internet threats and risks that need to be addressed to ensure the safety of children while using social media platforms. The four main kinds of internet threats children are exposed to while using the internet and different social media platforms include the following;
Content risks- This refers to the exposure to content that children find disgusting, upsetting, and generally uncomfortable, whether on purpose or accidentally. The latter can include exposure to sexual content, images of cruelty to animals, and overall pornography, including simulated or actual violence.
Contact risks- This refers to risks that emerge from coming in contact with people the children or internet users do not know about or adults pretending to be children to get an advantage over children or to use the information collected over social media platforms to make the real lives of children a living hell. The problem of contact risk is an example of Isis in social media, which can expose children to several physical security risks. Contact risks can also include being asked to meet strangers who children have met online, which can pose potential physical threats. Other risks can be prevented by following the guidelines proposed in the article.
Social media is a diverse platform with other additional platforms. Therefore, implementing safety measures when
