The internet is a massive and rich resource for anyone who wants to learn something new, especially for kids, who are often even more eager and curious about things. Now that modern technology has allowed almost every house to accommodate devices for internet surfing, like computers, smartphones, laptops, etc., it's becoming easier for kids to go online and explore their curiosity. 

Due to the Covid-19 and lockdown situation, the previous year has even made virtual learning mandatory for many students worldwide, including kids, who are As they can access almost any information just by googling it, this education system is simply becoming more convenient and reliable.

How to Know if a website is safe?

However, this convenience also comes with many risks. The internet holds not only positive content but also very dark ones. There are certain places and things online which you'd never want your kids to even know about. But this is also one of The biggest challenges for parents today, which wouldn't be too hard to deal with if you are well educated about the subject.

Internet Safety for Kids is not something to be taken lightly of. Online is a vast universe where all sorts of people and emerging threats can be found. It has wrecked many lives and people all around the world, and when it comes to your kids, you must be extra careful about where they visit, what they do, and who they communicate with online.

In regard to that, most parents do not give much emphasis to how their children are using the internet and what for. It's imperative to regulate their activities and control few aspects of their online freedom to keep them safer. So, let's discuss more about the risks that can be encountered and some tips that can help you defend your child from those threats.

What are the risks?
One of the most consistent threats in the online world is cybercriminals and the insensitive cybercrimes they commit. They do not care about who The user is, only what benefit they can gain from victimizing them. This includes all your family members. ..., Including Innocent Kids, Teens, And Adults.

More Importantly, Though, Children Are Easier To Trick And Use As A Medium To Bankrupt Their Parents. They Can Be Manipulated And Convinced Into Giving Out Personal Information, Which The Criminals Can Later Use To Commit different illicit activities. Some people, however, aren't Limited To That.

There Are Online Predators Who Often Honeypot Their Child Victims To Exploit Them Sexually. This May Be Hard To Swallow, But Many Cases Have Been Reported Where These Predators Ask Children For Sexually Explicit Images, Fix Meetings, Or Reveal Pornographic content to them.

Below is a list of similar risks that your kid might come across while online:
a) Phishing attacks
b) Become a Victim of Cyberbullying
c) Identity theft
d) Falling for Online scams
e) Exposure to inappropriate content like violence, terrorism, pornography, etc.
f) Getting their devices infected with malware and viruses
g) Communicating with online predators

How to keep your kids safe online?  

You probably never want to encounter the risks mentioned above yourself It's good to be concerned about their online privacy and safety and learn ways to defend them against the dangers. Following are 5 tips that you can follow to make your kids safe while internet browsing:

1) Use security tools to protect your home network and devices: 

The first and foremost solution to overcoming online risks is using security suits that provide comprehensive protection. Firstly, make sure your home Wi-Fi network is highly encrypted (WPA2 encryption recommended) and secured. Then, look out for all the devices you and your kids use, and ensure they're protected using antivirus programs.

While online browsing, teach your kids to enable VPN software to keep their location private and their data encrypted. In addition, install a more robust security program, such as Norton 360, on all their devices that would defend them from cybercriminals as well as viruses. ...

Back up all the information stored on their equipment and use password managers to better store and secure the passwords for different accounts. Using these security tools can help provide you with the assurance that your kids are safe while browsing online.

2) Limit their online time and what information they share: 

As a parent, you must regulate and control how much time your kids are spending online. The more they surf the internet, the more are chances of them being exposed to cybercrimes. If you notice them staying up all night, or just spending the whole day in their rooms in front of their computer, be alarmed, they may be developing an addiction.

You should set time limitations when they can access online. Besides that, it's also crucial you teach them not to share any private information with strangers that can reveal their identity or put them in harm, such as financial details, email addresses, phone numbers, geolocation, and so on.

3) Know who they are communicating with: 

Most cybercriminal approaches start with the initiation of a conversation. Therefore, you should frequently check their inboxes and emails to see if there is anyone fishy talking with them. In addition, let your kids know what the signs of a suspicious individual are so that they. can identify them.

Tell them to inform you immediately if someone asks for personal information or is trying to trick them. Also, see who's on your kid's social media contact list and make them aware of stranger friend requests; teach them how to delete and avoid such approaches from unknown people.

4) Monitor your kid's online activities using Parental Control Software:

It can be really challenging for a parent to mandatorily monitor their child's online activity all the time. There are Parental Control programs that can help them keep their eyes on their kid's internet behaviors.

These applications are an excellent way to regulate what they are doing on their smartphones and laptops. Parents can see what videos and websites their children are visiting, monitor age-appropriate content, and set screen time limits by applying this feature.

5) Teach your kids about the risks and better online practices to avoid them:

Of course, you can't prevent your children from accessing online just because there are dangers. It's a modern world where they must be familiar with the internet to stay updated. What you can do is educate them about the risks that can surround them.

Teach them how to identify the dangers when they visit specific sites or communicate on social media. Explain to them what cyberbullying and other similar threats are and how they can avoid those. It's the only way you can make them an independent, safe online user as a kid, and also when they grow up to be an adult.