Safe Search Kids - Education, Parenting, Internet Safety for All

Doxxing is a dangerous practice on the rise that can affect and harm many children. Parents need to be aware of this new digital danger to help keep their children safe. Doxxing is not an uncommon term, but certinaly not top of mind for most parents. Here’s all you need to know about doxxing and the steps to take to reduce the risk.

 What is Doxxing?

The act of doxxing is revealing someone’s information online. This information can be used to identify someone, such as their real name, address, bank details, employer, and more.

Crucially, doxxing is done to an individual without them knowing about it and is often done with the intent to harm or humiliate. Doxxing has become more and more common online as technology has advanced, leading to more children being put in difficult situations.

Some of the methods people use to Dox others include:

• Tracking usernames
• Running a WHOIS search
• Phishing
• Social media stalking
• IP address tracking

Why is Doxxing Dangerous?

Doxxing can be very dangerous for your children to experience. With their information becoming public, it can lead to things such as harassment, both online and in public, as well as stalking and potentially even fraud if banking information is revealed.

As doing so has the potential to reveal home addresses, it increases the risk of predatory behaviour, which many can’t bare thinking about. As well as this, having public information exposed to followers and other internet users, especially if your children want to keep it hidden, can also lead to them being bullied online. Doxxing can also be dangerous for minorities, as they may be targeted with abuse and harassment online.

However, one of the biggest dangers surrounding doxxing is the practice of Swatting. This is where doxxed information is used by strangers to call in police or swat teams to a victim’s address, citing a fake shooting or hostage situation. This has happened to many streamers on Twitch, and swatters usually do this for their own amusement.

Linda Shaffer, Chief People Operations Officer at Checkr, says, “Being a victim of Swatting can be traumatic and potentially life-changing. Individuals have the responsibility to protect their information, but businesses like ours also need to be committed to keeping customer information safe and secure.”

As you can imagine, having a swat team arrive at your property can be a very tense and dangerous situation if you don’t know how to deal with the situation, and multiple people have been injured and even killed after being Swatted.

5 Things Parents Can Do to Protect Kids

Parents worried about doxxing need to take action. Here are a few things you can do to protect your children:

1. Educate Your Children

Education is the best preventative measure to keep your children safe from doxing. By helping them understand the dangers and methods in which they can be doxxed, they can do more online to protect themselves.

One main thing you should teach them is to understand what information they should and shouldn’t share. Make your children aware that they should never disclose information about their address, identity, and bank details if they have any, as these can all be used to cause harm.

2. Check their profiles

Parents should maintain access to their children’s profiles and accounts to monitor what type of content they’re accessing. By periodically reviewing their accounts on socials and gaming software, you’ll better understand how vulnerable they’re making themselves. If you want to limit the type of content your children can access to help them be safe from doxxing, you can also block adult content.

Another thing parents can do is run a search for their kids online. By simply searching their names on a search engine, you’ll be able to see what kind of information comes up, allowing you to see how exposed they are. This knowledge can then help you make their accounts and digital selves more secure.

3. Promote the usage of different passwords and usernames

If your children use the same passwords for all their accounts and have similar usernames across their social media and more, they are a lot easier for a doxxer to track, making them much more vulnerable.

You can keep your children more secure by forcing them to utilize different passwords and usernames. It may be a bit harder for them to remember, but this added security helps ensure they can maintain privacy. As their details are different, it means that if one account is hacked, the others should still be safe.

Use good password standards as well by creating passwords that aren’t easy to guess and contain special keys, numbers, and capitalization.

4. Mask their IP address

One of the most common ways people are doxxed online is through their IP address. These details can reveal the location of your children, compromising them, and sometimes this information can be used to reveal further details.

The best way to protect them from this is to mask your IP address. This is best done with a virtual private network (VPN). The technology of how a VPN works is complicated, but the general idea is that it connects you with a different server, meaning that your device appears to be in a different location.

Volodymyr Shchegel, VP of Engineering at Clario, says, “VPNs are one of the best security programs you can get, alongside antivirus and firewalls. It protects your IP address, making it harder for hackers and doxxers to find you. These days, VPNs are an essential bit of kit.”

5. Remove Information from Data Brokers

You’ll be frightened at how much data about your children and even yourself is available online. When your children sign up for services and accounts, their details can be stored in data brokers, who can then sell that info to businesses who use t for better advert targeting.

Thankfully, you can request that this information is removed; it’s just a bit of a hassle. Some businesses can do this service for you, but if you have the patience, you can start removing the information stored on these brokers yourself.

Conclusion

Doxxing is something that parents need to be aware of. As technology advances, more and more dangers emerge online, and doxxing is added to the list of other risks that parents need to help limit.

There are many things that children can do to prevent doxing from happening to them. Following the advice mentioned above should help. As the issue gets more mainstream attention, expect changes to be made so that doxxing is severely punished, hopefully discouraging the practice. For now, ensure your children are mindful online and are aware of this danger when surfing online.

Looking for a way to encourage your child to be curious outside of school hours? You may be surprised to know that video games are a truly viable tool for learning.  Video games may not be everyone’s first pick for an educational tool, as the term often conjures up images of zombies, shooters, and gore.

There are games like that, of course, but it’s not always the case.  In fact, some video games can help your child learn more about a tricky subject than they might do in a traditional classroom setting. Skills like coding and problem-solving can be hard to learn for some children, but games like the ones shown in this list can make a huge difference.

Minecraft

To start, Minecraft is an incredibly popular sandbox adventure game with multiple ways to play and explore. If you feel that adventurous games would be a good fit for your child, this is the perfect pick for you.

While the base game in Minecraft might not immediately seem like an educational tool, playing it can actually help children to learn vital skills like problem-solving and creative thinking.

The crafting and engineering systems in the game are vast, and players will come across a number of issues they’ll need to solve without any specific instructions from the game. Tutorials are available, but the game encourages exploration and experimentation.

There’s even a specific version of the game for schools and businesses called Minecraft Education Edition. It teaches children about literacy, math, history, and coding, all in a fun and interactive format.

Baba Is You

Baba Is You is a fantastic indie game that’s best suited for players roughly aged eight and up. The gameplay offers a good blend of brain training and puzzle solving that requires some real lateral thinking.

One of the best things about Baba Is You is that it subverts what children may expect from a traditional game. Almost everything in the game can be interacted with, including elements like the walls surrounding a puzzle or the instructional text on screen.

It’ll push your child to think outside of the box and test their creative thinking.

If your child is younger than the recommended age, it could still be worth trying out this game and playing through it together. It’s a beautiful game with lovely graphics and music, and it’s clear that the development team put a lot of love into it.

Toca Lab

Toca Lab is much more of a niche game than the others on this list. This is a science-oriented educational game that focuses on the periodic table.

This game is cheery and colorful, and it has a light-hearted gameplay loop that makes an admittedly tricky topic much more approachable. If your child is struggling to remember scientific elements or write about them with confidence, this is a great game to check out.

Not only does this game look at scientific elements, but it also looks at different scientific tools and pieces of equipment. It’s a great introduction to what a science classroom can be like, which makes it a perfect pick if your child is just starting to focus on chemistry at school.

codeSpark Academy

If you’re looking to teach your child coding, codeSpark Academy is one of the highest-rated coding games on the market. It’s a bright and accessible title with a good mix of dedicated lessons and enjoyable puzzles with a coding theme.

Something that makes this game stand out from the crowd is that it lets children progress at their own pace. The lessons are self-led, and the games and puzzles are decently self-explanatory.

It’s no easy feat to make a difficult subject like coding feel accessible, but this game manages to do it nicely. If your child has been looking at coding in school but not finding much luck with it, this game could be the perfect solution.

Children can even build their own games through this app and share them with their friends, which is a brilliant way for them to see their work in action.

The game also has extra resources available to pair with the lessons, like workbooks.

Being a new parent can be an exciting time; however, it also comes with a whole new set of responsibilities. You are now responsible for another life in this world. From putting child-safe covers on outlets to installing safety netting on windows and balconies, the world with a small child is full of dangers you may have never noticed.

But what about your vehicle? Did you consider that you will need to childproof each vehicle to ensure your children’s safety while on the open road? And what does childproofing a vehicle even look like?

This article will discuss ways to childproof your vehicle to ensure a safe ride for you and the entire family.

Use the Right Car Seat for Your Child

Not only should children under the age of 13 sit in the back seat at all times, but you should also ensure that they are securely fastened in the appropriate car seat, depending on their age, height, and weight.

Here are some guidelines to follow:

• From birth until ages 2 to 4: When your child is a baby, you should use a rear-facing car seat, which should be placed in the middle seat of the back seat. The middle seat is the safest position for a car seat. Children should be placed in rear-facing car seats with a harness until they reach the car seat’s maximum height or weight limit.

• Until 5 or 6 years old: Once your child has outgrown their first car seat, they should be securely fastened into a seat that’s now forward-facing. The seat should come with a harness, and you can use this car seat until your child reaches the maximum height or weight limit of the seat.

• Until 9 to 12 years old: After they have outgrown the front-facing car seat, they are ready for a booster seat. Your child should be securely fastened into a booster seat until the vehicle’s seat belt fits properly. Proper seat belt fit typically occurs when children are between 9 to 12, depending on their size.

Activate Child Locks

Imagine taking your child on their first camping trip to get them off their screens and into the wilderness, and they suddenly open the door as you are cruising down the freeway at 70 miles per hour. This is an incredibly dangerous and scary scenario that can easily be prevented by making sure the child locks on your back passenger doors are activated.

Activating the child locks in your vehicle is easy. Simply open both rear passenger doors and find the metal toggle switches that turn the child locks on and off and flip them on.

Lock Windows

Arriving at your destination does not have to be the only goal of traveling. It’s an incredible way your kids to learn about the joy of the journey. It’s time spent together, fun playing games, and experiencing beautiful scenery along the way; however, do it safely. Always keep the passenger windows locked. Most vehicles have a window lock button on the window control panel on the driver’s side front door.

Ensure the window lock button is pushed in to prevent your child from opening the windows on their own and hanging their head or limbs out the window. Also, keeping the windows closed can help prevent rocks or other debris from flying into the car and striking your child.

Secure Unused Seat Belts

Unsecured seat belts could pose a strangulation hazard to your child if left unbuckled. Before starting the car, you should secure all unused seatbelts by buckling in the belt, slowly pulling the shoulder strap out, and slowly releasing it until you hear a clicking sound. The clicking sound means that the retractor is in the locked position and will remain tight enough that your child will be unable to pull on the belt.

Secure All Items in Your Vehicle

Any item not secured in your vehicle could become a dangerous projectile in the event of a car crash. Sports equipment, toys, tools, and essentially anything heavy or hard could potentially become dangerous if you are in an accident, hit a speed bump, or take a corner too fast. Protect your child by putting all heavy and hard items in the trunk of your car or the back of your truck, van, or SUV or by ensuring that the items are properly secured.

Conduct Regular Car Safety Checks

It’s crucial to check the safety of your car at regular intervals, especially if you’re often traveling with children. Your tires are what keep your car on the road, so proper tire maintenance is essential. Check tire pressure regularly and ensure tires have enough tread for better control.

Also, don’t forget the brakes. These should be checked every six months to ensure the brake pads aren’t worn out.

Other Tips for Kid’s Car Safety

Young Children Need To Sit in the Back

Most states and provinces in the US and Canada have laws barring children under the age of 13 from riding in the front seat of a vehicle. Even if it is not technically illegal, it is still highly recommended that children 12 and under ride in the back since airbag deployments can kill young children in the event of an accident.

Another thing to consider, even if your child is 13 or older, is that if they are smaller than average in size, you may consider keeping them on the back seat until they get a little bigger.

Never Eat in the Car

It may be tempting to eat in the car, especially on longer road trips. However, eating in the car is not only a distraction for the driver, but it is also a choking hazard for a young child. If you need to eat while traveling a longer distance, either stop at a restaurant and eat inside or park the car until everyone has finished eating. This will also help beat the boredom kids may feel on a long trip.

Never Leave the Keys in the Vehicle

Kids are curious beings, and you would be surprised how observant they can be and how much they learn by watching you. For this reason, you should never leave your keys in the vehicle. Leaving keys in your car unattended is a recipe for disaster. A child may be able to access the car keys, start the engine, disengage the parking brake, and even put the car into gear.

Never Leave Children Unattended in a Vehicle

Finally, never leave your child unattended in or around vehicles. Even if left alone for a short while, a child could be in danger of dehydration, heat stroke, overheating, injury, hypothermia, abduction, and even death.

In the summer months, even with a window cracked, temperatures in a vehicle can easily reach up to 150 degrees Fahrenheit. A child can easily die if their core temperature reaches 107 degrees. Also, a child’s body temperature can rise five times faster than the average adult’s. Heat stroke is the number one cause of non-crash-related deaths in kids under 15.

Aside from heat stroke, dehydration, and overheating, an unsupervised child in a vehicle is more likely to injure themselves. Additionally, leaving a child unattended in a vehicle is extending a welcome invitation for abduction. For these reasons, you should never leave a child alone in a vehicle, even for one minute.

About the Author:
Ryan Harris is a copywriter focused on eLearning and the digital transitions going on in the education realm. Before turning to writing full time, Ryan worked for five years as a teacher in Tulsa and then spent six years overseeing product development at many successful Edtech companies, including 2U, EPAM, and NovoEd.

In a world where life seems to move at the speed of light, being a parent can sometimes feel like running a marathon while juggling flaming torches. With demanding careers, packed schedules, and the constant demands of modern life, finding the time and energy to provide the best care for our children can feel like an overwhelming challenge.

However, with some strategies and mindset shifts, navigating these challenges and providing the best care for your children is possible. For some help, we’ll reveal ingenious hacks to empower you to become the superhero parent you were always meant to be.

So, let’s dive in and discover the practical tips that will revolutionise your life as a busy yet extraordinary parent.

Harnessing the Power of Strollers

Strollers can be a game-changer for busy parents, offering convenience and mobility while ensuring the comfort of your child. They provide a practical solution for parents who are constantly on the move.

Consider the child’s age, lifestyle, and specific needs when choosing a stroller. From lightweight umbrella strollers for quick errands to versatile jogging strollers for active parents, a wide range of options are available.

Consider strollers with storage compartments or attachable organisers to keep essential items easily accessible. Additionally, consider investing in strollers with adjustable handles for ergonomic comfort and features like sunshades, cup holders, and trays for added convenience.

By harnessing the power of strollers, busy parents can navigate their daily routines efficiently while keeping their little ones comfortable and secure.

Utilising Technology to Stay Connected

In today’s digital age, technology can be a valuable ally for busy parents who want to stay connected and organised on the go. Numerous digital resources and apps are specifically designed to assist parents in managing their daily tasks and responsibilities.

Explore the wide range of parenting apps available that offer features such as tracking feeding and sleep schedules, setting reminders for necessary appointments or tasks, and providing access to valuable parenting resources and advice.

Additionally, utilise communication tools like video calls or messaging apps to stay connected with family members, especially if they live far away. These technologies can help bridge the distance and allow relatives or close friends to be part of your child’s life even when you’re on the go.

However, balancing screen time and face-to-face interaction with your child is essential. Remember that technology should complement, not replace, the personal connections and bonding moments with your little one.

Efficient Planning and Organization

Busy parents need adequate planning and organisation strategies to navigate their daily responsibilities while on the move. They must create a flexible schedule and routine that balances work, personal commitments, and quality family time.

Use scheduling apps and set reminders to help you keep track of appointments, deadlines, and important events.

Moreover, busy parents can optimise their time in the kitchen through meal planning and preparation. The key here is to plan meals ahead of time, creating a weekly or monthly menu that accounts for nutritional balance and variety.

Batch cooking and meal prepping can save significant time and effort. Parents can quickly assemble healthy meals on busy days by cooking larger quantities and freezing portions, minimising stress and ensuring their family is well-nourished.

Building a Support Network

Parenting can be challenging, especially for busy parents constantly juggling multiple responsibilities. Building a support network is essential for maintaining your sanity and getting help.

Start by reaching out to family and friends who can offer assistance with childcare or simply lend a listening ear. Consider joining local parenting groups or online communities to connect with other parents facing similar challenges. See if there are drop-in daycare available in your area.

These platforms provide a valuable space for sharing experiences, seeking advice, and finding solidarity. Don’t hesitate to ask for help when needed, and be willing to reciprocate when others in your support network require assistance.

By nurturing a solid support network, you’ll have a reliable source of guidance, understanding, and encouragement throughout your parenting journey.

Self-Care for Busy Parents

Amid the busyness of parenting, busy parents must prioritise self-care. Taking care of one’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being benefits the parent and enhances their ability to care for their children. Here are some self-care tips for busy parents:

• The first step is to recognize the significance of self-care. Self-care isn’t selfish but essential to maintaining a healthy and balanced life.

• Find moments of relaxation and rejuvenation. Busy parents can identify pockets of time throughout the day, such as during a child’s nap or while waiting for an appointment, to engage in activities that promote relaxation. It could include deep breathing exercises, mindfulness meditation, or reading a book.

• Carve out time for your interests and hobbies. Whether exploring a new passion or participating in a fitness class, dedicating time to personal pursuits contributes to happiness and well-being.

Final Thoughts

Parenting on the move requires a willingness to embrace the challenges of a busy lifestyle. Busy parents can navigate demanding schedules while providing their children a loving and nurturing environment by implementing practical tips and customising them to suit individual needs.