Most parents can easily come up with a list of potentially harmful elements on the Internet that their kids could be exposed to. But as long as that list gets, most will not even think about malware. Precautions to block certain content from causing lasting damage in young minds includes making sure malicious software (malware) does not invade our child’s privacy.

Malware can secretly infect any computer through infected websites, bad software, music and movie file sharing sites and even seemingly innocent online video games. It can expose kids to harmful materiel and at the very least reek havoc on computer. And like any type of virus, it can spread to other computers.

In this article, we’ve collated some of the best ways to take measures regarding Internet security and privacy in order to keep your children’s browsing and gaming safe. Most of these precautionary measures include having an open dialogue with kids about the unseen dangers of malware. Additionally, software solutions a necessary.

Get an Anti-Malware Program.

An anti-malware program will save you from future headaches. It protects your browsing and gaming from unwanted viruses and malware; an effective anti-malware program will keep the trojan virus away. Trojan viruses are a class of code or app that seems to be innocuous when downloaded, but once it’s part of your computer system it goes to work to cause mayhem.

If you’re looking for an efficient anti malware program, Malwarebytes Premium can do the job. It offers blanket protection from most threats including trojans horses which even top of the line antivirus systems do not have. It does it’s best to blocks “suspect” programs, as well as conducts daily scans to subsequently removes threats that are attempting to change the way your computer behaves.

Setup Digital Boundary rules.

This is where effective communication comes through. Setting up digital boundary rules with your children is fundamental in making them understand that while the Internet is a great place to obtain information, play games, and communicate with their friends, it can also be a dangerous place for someone vulnerable.

Talk to them about rules that you’ve decided upon, or better yet, allow them to participate in the decision-making process. For example, ask them what their stance on no Internet or gadgets after a certain time on weekdays. If you prefer they go to bed before 10:30 PM, it’s wise to set up no Internet by 9 PM or thirty minutes earlier. It’s also a great decision to tell your kids what sites they can or can not access. If they ask, answer them honestly.

Create a Safe Space for Kids via Parental Controls.

Teaching kids to make good decisions about online use can only go so far. Any device you have in your home should have parental controls installed. This includes smartphones, laptops, iPads and of course, desk top computers and laptops. Once installed, parental controls can be customized to automatically block sites according to the age of your child. You can also monitor what your kids are doing online.

Effective parental control will also allow you to set usage restrictions according to the time of day. In addition to blocking websites, monitoring social media and filtering content, it can also track location. You may decide to set up rules with your kids to adhere to without setting up blocking features. Leave up to them so make the right decision, but you’ll know if they went online after hours for example, thanks to monitoring. This will help them build self control skills.

Always Communicate with your Kids Regarding their Internet Concerns.

Even when you already have set up everything and it’s all going very well and smoothly, encourage your kids to express concerns they may have about their Internet use. Re-enforce why staying away from harmful content is for their own benefit. Slowly give them responsibility to “do the right thing” within the safe confines of your parental control settings.

You can’t protect your children from mature and adult content forever. That’s why keeping the lines of communication open is essential to nuture a strong relationship of trust between you and your child. When kids feel listened too, they feel less of a need to rebel from the rules.

Takeaway

Parental supervision is only the start. No parent should feel inadequate for not being able to monitor their child’s activist online all the time. Most computer systems do a good job of preventing virus infections. But malware is much more deviant. It is not uncommon to install a anti-malware program like Malwarebytes for protection, even from innocent website, software programs or video games. The same goes for parental control software which blocks access to the worst parts of the web.

College may be a long way off for your young kids, but what will higher education look like in the future? Coronavirus is already changing how teens view education. Following the virus’ outbreak, 1 in 6 high school seniors who planned on attending full-time college in the fall are now rethinking their decision.

The vulnerable state of many universities combined with the pandemic’s psychological effects on students are primary fuelers to this. As a result, the value of traditional education may be fundamentally affected.

Worldwide, as of April 2020, 1.6 billion students saw their education interrupted. Although the college experience remains unrecognizable, the price hasn’t shifted. In March 2020, the American Congress allocated nearly $350 million of the Coronavirus Relief Fund to colleges with “significant unmet needs.” However, this was only able to help less than 3,000 students, leaving prospective students stressed over how they will afford higher education.

On top of that, the psychological effects of COVID-19 has presented the graduating class of 2020 with many challenges. For example, quarantine has led many to experience PTSD and depression. Even more catastrophic, younger adults have experienced a 10x increase in serious mental distress. The fuelers behind the mental obstacles? No physical classes or guidance toward their career of interest.

Knowing this, the future of education for your teens may be different than ever before. Not only will the economical value of education change due to COVID-19, but also the classroom dynamic. Prepare your student for the future of education by becoming privy to how future classrooms will operate before they step into them.

For example, mixed-location classrooms. Several experts predict a surge in integration of in-person and online learning. Now that COVID-19 has introduced us to the convenience of living and working online, many tools like Zoom and Slack may be crucial in the future of online and in-person classes. 

Furthermore, colleges may take a major shift towards innovation. Some teaching methods were old-school and based on outdated technology. However, the pandemic has influenced many to quickly search for innovative methods for distance learning. In China, for example, 120 million students now access learning material through live TV. However, students report feeling isolated, overwhelmed, and helpless in these scenarios. Expect this to be reimaged in the future.

According to the American College Health Association, colleges can expect changes for at least the next 12-18 months. In the meantime, keep an eye out on the higher education economy for the best approach in preparing your teens. Pay attention to the dynamics of online learning, credit transfers, and avoid falling for scams.

We have a long way to go until returning to normal. The infographic below can help you shape a better understanding of the future of college for your teen.

The sudden transition into remote work can be stressful on the student. 76% of students feel in lower spirits than before the pandemic, having caused nearly 9 in 10 parents to be concerned that their child may fall academically. However, teachers and parents can work together to help students minimize their distractions and improve their remote learning.

Worldwide, at least 90% of students are stuck at home due to COVID-19, and most need tech access to participate in online learning. However, technology can also divert the student’s attention away from curriculum during eLearning hours. Disabling phone notifications and turning on “do not disturb” mode can help. A step further, Apple’s “screen time” and Android’s “focus mode” can help limit distractions. Screen time allows users to set time limits on specific apps and features, and focus mode allows users to block access to specific apps on a set schedule. 

Setting a new life schedule can be helpful, too. It’s easy to let normal schedules slip when everyone is home, but you don’t have to keep your old schedule to have a consistent routine. Students with schedules built around a type of activity rather than specific plan may have greater success in improving their focus. Furthermore, a schedule with announced transitions to keep your child engaged when switching tasks. Give time warnings before a transition, and stick to them. Get your child’s attention, give directions, then say “go.” Using a visual timer can help your child understand how much time is left before switching gears. Try the “Time Timer app” for this.

When learning is fun, it’s easy to get kids engaged. Schedule virtual playdates for your child to catch up with friends, let students collaborate and help each other with school work through digital, and keep in touch with other parents to share ideas on what works. Find more tips to enhance home learning in the infographic below.

The only vaccine we have for COVID-19 at the moment is staying at home. But as much as we know how important it is, this Coronavirus lock down is not fun at all! We are bored, we feel unchallenged mentally, and we’ve finally realized that TV is not as fun as it seems.

If you want to challenge yourself and have fun while in quarantine, you need to realign your goals and seek more knowledge. Learn something new, try a challenge you consider undoable, change your life’s path if you can, or stretch your limits and imaginations beyond what you previously thought was humanly impossible.

To start you off, here are productive and fun ideas to help you beat boredom during COVID-19 lock down:

1. Learn a new language

Learning a new language, local or international, is a good way to remain mentally active and improve your life while at it. You have all the time in the world now, so you have no excuses for why you still can’t fulfill the promise you made to self that you will learn Spanish or Mandarin before 2021. This is your chance to learn an extra local lingo if you come from a multilingual country, or even learn the American Sign Language. All you need to learn a new language these days is a language app or an online linguistics class.

2.  Have a campfire in the backyard

This is simple: Make a fire pit and share quality time with your family around the fire. You can even roast marshmallows or steak to bring out the real camping experience. If you live alone, reading a book around the campfire could also be fun. Try anything, conventional or unconventional. Normal is boring, after all!

Note: This is illegal in some regions, so you need to confirm with your neighbors or local authorities first.

3. Learn a skill online

Take an online dance class and practice with your spouse. Try a pottery class and do pottery with your kids in the backyards. If you are a business executive, hone your listening or management skills. If you are into art, learn how to write movie scripts, draw, or even how to write interesting children storybooks.  Anything you are interested in has a free tutorial online.

4. Cook

What is your excuse for not cooking for your wife now that you are both home all day? This is your chance to try out the recipe you brought back from your trip abroad. Try making varied dishes from all the trips you have made, or from the TV shows you’ve watched. With a little creativity, innovation, and improvisation in your cooking techniques, you will be surprised by how many “secret” recipes you will invent in the next month or so- recipes that will remain “family secret” for tens of your future generations.

5. Play games

Get your Switch, Xbox, PS4, and iPads and play until you can’t focus anymore. Now get the old board games and play Trivial Pursuit or poker with your family. See how good you still are at the epic game of Monopoly. We are talking about the long versions here. After all, you have all the time to push your limit.

6. Make a DIY clock

Someone made a lockdown clock using Chrome running in Kiosk mode, a Raspberry Pi 4, and a spare touch screen. The clock is basically a JavaScript-based web display on a Raspberry Pi 4, with the display being a local website whose textual representation is minutes, hours, and days. If technology or coding is your thing, this is a good idea for making something mechanical for yourself, in an artistic approach.

7. Exercise

There are tons of exercise and fitness apps/online platforms. If you love hitting the gym, look for trainer videos, and keep the momentum going. If you are new to this, you don’t have to jump directly to full-blown workouts; start with the calming Yin Yoga, short sprints in the backyard, or jumping rope for 10-20 minutes.

Conclusion

Self-quarantining has brought outdoor activity to a halt, but you should not let that dim your spirits. If you feel like time is becoming rather blurry, that is a sign that whatever you are doing is becoming monotonous. Move on to a tougher challenge. The idea here is to beat boredom and stay safe while at it.