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

With just about every child using the internet these days, combined with the steady stream of new technological advancements coming out every year, the challenge of controlling what your kids do online is not going to get any easier.  Staying on top of online safety for kids is top concern for every parent, but not all take the time to stay informed.

Whether by using mobile devices, watching YouTube videos, taking online classes, texting or chatting on a webcam with friends or family, online gaming or browsing through social media platforms, there are growing number of ways your child is connecting interacting to the internet.   The graph below shows how kids used the internet last year.

Just when you think you’re up to date on the latest security threats, something new comes along.  Often, issues come to light that are not new but no one seems to be focusing on them, such as preventing a session hijacking attack.  Safe Search Kids has your back, so let’s dive in.

Ultimate Guide on Session Hijacking Attack

There are significant benefits your kids will get by allowing them to stay online. The internet gives them exposure to the outside world. Your child will get to learn a lot through the internet.

However, it is also important to note that, while it is recommended that you allow your kids to use the internet, you should limit them and protect them against threats. Just like adults, kids are susceptible to several internet threats.

Session hijacking attacks are common these days, and they are one of the major attacks that your kids are vulnerable to. Most parents are faced with a heavy huddle trying to protect their kids against such an attack. If you are such a parent, worry no more.  This guide is an excellent read that will show you how to protect your children against a session hijacking attack.

Know What a Session Hijacking Is

I bet your child probably doesn’t know what a session hijacking is. They don’t even know if it exists. It happens when an attacker takes over your internet session. For instance, assume your child is using a smartphone to browse through the internet.  They have a favorite educational platform where they can read through various educational articles and undertake several activities. A lot will happen between the time you log in and when you log out.

For instance, hackers can obtain or generate your child’s session ID while the session is in progress.  The attacker will use the session ID to take over your child’s session, steal their sensitive data, distort their progress on educational websites, perform malicious money transfers, among many other evils.

To properly shield your kids against a session hijacking attack, you need to establish the root cause of the problem.  In essence, you must know the types of session-hijacking techniques that hackers could use to target your kids.

Session Hijacking Techniques

Session hijackers usually have a few techniques of choice to undertake a session hijack. They can choose to work with them individually or combine all of them. Here are some of the session-hijacking methods that attackers could use.

1.     Cross-Site Scripting

A malicious attacker can use cross-site scripting (XSS) to trick your child’s device into executing a malicious code masquerading as a genuine code. The XSS attacker will allow the session hijacker to have a copy of the cookie they need to perform a malicious action.

2.     Brute Force Attack

A hacker can hijack your child’s session by literally guessing a session key. Websites or applications that use a predictable or sequential pattern in their session keys are vulnerable to brute force attacks.

Brute force attack was the most dominant session hijacking technique in the past. However, applications and websites are now using randomly generated and complex session keys that offer considerable resistance against brute force attacks.

3.     Session Fixation

Session hijackers can sometimes craft a disguised session to trick your child into authenticating to a malicious server.

For instance, social engineering attacks such as phishing could effectively persuade your kids to click on a link or download an attachment that takes them to an unknown session cookie.

The session hijacker can then use the known session ID to hijack your child’s session.

4.     Session Side Jacking

Session side jacking is where an attacker uses a packet sniffer to steal a session cookie.

Typically, websites use SSL certificates to encrypt data on their pages. However, some websites do not use site-wide authentication, leaving their data vulnerable to interceptions by malicious intruders.

The moment the intruders lay their hands-on session cookies, they can hijack your child’s sessions to conduct malicious operations. For instance, an intruder can target children connected to an unsecured Wi-Fi to read through data.

5.     Malware Injection

Some malware is specifically designed to steal cookies. For instance, when your child is tricked into clicking on a malicious link or downloading an unsolicited file, the malware will scan through the network and traffic to collect session cookies which they can use to hijack your child’s session.

Ways to Stop Session Hijacking Attacks

Any effort to protect your kids against these threats will also help shield them against session hijackers.

Do you wish to know how to prevent session hijacking? The following are some of the measures you can take to protect your kids against session hijacking attacks.

1.     Do Not Allow Them to Use Public Wi-Fi

In session hijacking, unsecured public Wi-Fi could be the culprit that gives hijackers a direct ticket into your kid’s session.

It would be best if you never let your child use public Wi-Fi. There might be a cybercriminal nearby using packet sniffing to try and steal session cookies and compromise the data and online accounts.

2.     Ensure they use a Virtual Private Network

Using a Virtual Private Network will help your kids stay safe and keep hackers outside sessions if installed on the device being used.  A VPN will mask your child’s IP address and keep their browsing activities private.  VPN’s creates a secure tunnel through which all online activities will have to travel. It works by encrypting all data, thereby keeping it safe from hackers

3.     Provide Them with an Anti-Malware Software

Children usually act without contemplating the consequences of their actions. For example, when a hacker sends them a malicious link, they will rush to download the link without giving it a second thought.

The best way to stop malware attacks is to buy them anti-malware software. You should also know some of the tips that will protect them against malware attacks.

4.     Countercheck on the Security of Their Website and Web Application

Parents must be vigilant to continually counter check their kids security posture.

It is also important to educate them on some of the various internet scams they are vulnerable to and how to safeguard themselves against such scams.

Session hijackers might be targeting your child.  It’s a scary thought but with the proper knowledge and tools you can make every online experience a safe and positive one for your kids, as well as yourself.  Spread the word and share this article with friends and family.  Session hijacking is a major security threat than many parents are not aware of.

Social media has been known as somewhat of a dangerous place for children.  It can pose risks such as exposure to inappropriate or upsetting content, a lack of responsibility for actions, and of course, cyberbullying. That being said, social media is also a place for children to learn lessons.

It’s a space that is welcoming of creative expression, new connections, and heightened awareness. So when it comes to protecting our children from the dangers of the internet, banning them from social media is not only an unrealistic but an unnecessary way to tackle these dangers.

Here are some tips to help keep your children safe in the digital world.

Media Mindfulness Tips

Lead By Example

Probably the easiest way to encourage mindful social media use with your kids is by demonstrating the behavior yourself. This means reassessing your own experiences with social media and the ways it has impacted your daily life. For most adults, this comes down to turning off and tuning in.

I’m sure you’ve seen a family out to dinner with all of their faces in their phones. Well, I can almost guarantee you that the parents started that habit. By not putting away their phone for dinner, the parents are sending the message that it’s okay to spend family time browsing the internet.

Try leaving your phone home, or in another room during family time. This will demonstrate to your child that there is a time and place for technology.

Consider Your Intention

One of the most powerful ways to help your child have a better experience with social media is by teaching them the importance of intention. For most people, scrolling through Instagram or TikTok is nothing more than a cure for boredom.

As we already discussed, there is a lot to be learned from social media, but it also leaves a digital footprint that becomes an extension of them. Instruct your child to consider what their intentions are before opening the app.

They may tell you that they wanted an update on their favorite singer, or that they heard of a new toy they want to research. In most cases, however, they are likely to tell you that they’re bored.

In this case, remind them that if they can’t think of a reason for scrolling, it’s better not to do so at all.

Create A Positive Feed

One nice thing about social media is that, to a certain extent, you get to decide what you want to see. Thus, the easiest ways to create a more mindful media environment is by going through your feed and removing all negativity.

If your child is young, take a moment to sit with them and assess who they follow. By looking through who you follow and considering their purpose, you will be able to create a feed that makes you feel good.

If an account isn’t sharing positive energy or information, it’s time to hit the unfollow button. Replace them with more mindful, thought-out accounts that promote positivity and motivation.

When It’s Time To Turn Off

Keeping all of these things in mind while on social media is a great way to boost your online mindfulness.  Possibly the greatest thing about these apps, however, is that when the stresses become too much, we can always turn it off and take a break.

This doesn’t have to mean any specific amount of time. Make sure your child knows that it is always okay to turn the phone; whether it be for a few moments to practice conscious breathing, or a whole day to hang out in nature.

It may surprise you how quickly what’s happening on the internet starts to flee your mind.

About the Author:
“Rita Thompson is a writer for The Joy Within, an online school for meditation, happiness, and personal empowerment. As a writer, Rita strives to help shed light on under explored topics to help others flourish and access their fullest potential. Learn more at thejoywithin.org or on Instagram @the_joy_within.”

Our society has had a tense relationship with media consumption for some time now. Since the dawn of television facets of the community have raised concerns about what influence the media has. Sometimes this has been from a physiological and mental health perspective, at others from the standpoint of intellectual or moral development.

In our digital age, this has taken on new dimensions as online media plays a more central role in our lives.

This is especially present when it comes to our children.  Our variety of digital media tools influences a young age. There are certainly positives in embracing technology, but there’s also a lot of discussion about the negatives. Indeed, a recent study found that 61% of parents polled sought advice regarding their children’s screen time from a medical professional. As such, this constant media presence in the lives of children is worthy of serious consideration.

We’re going to take a moment to look at what the relative positives and negatives are regarding children’s media consumption.

As a Source of Information

Whether the media your children consume is screen time as a distance learner,  entertaining, or social, it is all providing them with information.  This is, of course, essential to their ability to understand the world. Global and local news alike are at their fingertips, as are rich and varied stories in movies and TV shows.

That said, a wealth of information at their disposal does not automatically equate to trustworthy knowledge. The open-source nature of our digital landscape means that the information your children consume may well be colored by more negative influences and agendas. Misinformation and discrimination are rife across the media today. When children’s consumption is left unaddressed, these influences may well be inadvertently given as much weight in their minds as credible sources, affecting their opinions and decisions accordingly.

While there may be some benefit to reducing screen time in a more general sense, the answer is not necessarily censorship. Depending on your child’s age, removing their ability to consume less trustworthy forms of information reduces the opportunity to engage critical thinking skills. Rather, as a parent, it is important to support your child’s viewing with discussions. Talk to them about the context of the information they’re seeing — the biases and the influences. Follow this up with exercises in information reviews and how to identify credible resources. Provide them with the knowledge of how to more effectively process the information they’re receiving.

As a Cultural Touchstone

Digital media has become a key part of our contemporary culture. More importantly, though, it is a conduit to share and learn about more diverse cultures. This is perhaps the true value of an open, globally-connected media ecosystem — your children have the opportunity to engage with different ideas from exposure to their media. Not just professional media, either, but the content made by citizens through YouTube, Twitch streams, and TikTok.

Additionally, it’s important to understand that media as a cultural touchstone is a positive tool for representation. The media available today is becoming more diverse — particularly on streaming services, which are making efforts to feature not just actors and characters but also creators from traditionally marginalized backgrounds. Television, podcasts, music, even video game streaming can help demonstrate to children with diverse identities that their cultural perspectives and identities have an important place in the global community. These media provide them with positive, relatable role models, too.

But is there a negative side to media content as a cultural focus? Only when as a parent you rely too heavily upon it. Media is a tool for knowledge, but it doesn’t give your kids valuable life experience. Combine their consumption of media from other cultures with encouragement to also engage with them. Demonstrate the patronage of minority-owned businesses and just reaching out to start conversations and build relationships. Allow the media to inform their impressions, but provide experience to build their sense of empathy and community responsibility.

As Part of a Social Development

It can’t have escaped your notice that media consumption comprises a core part of your child’s social development. They are among the first generation of true digital natives, and both they and their peers will not just use media to consume information and culture, but also to communicate with one another and form social bonds.

By empowering your children to grow socially through media consumption — learning from TV shows, communicating (with safety elements in place) through social media — they can develop practices for the responsible use of these on their own terms. Indeed, we’ve already seen how this engagement is developing Generation Z into more socially and environmentally conscious citizens. Let’s not forget that Fridays for Future is a social media-led campaign. Rather than just dictate the use of their media tools, this is an opportunity to give them ownership of these. They can understand the responsibilities involved, and the social limitations and challenges they may face. The key is to be communicative and supportive throughout.

Of course, it’s not healthy to have them entirely focused on social development through screen media. It’s important to introduce other sources of information. Comic books are a helpful tool here, and also have in-built social credibility, even sparking discussion points among peers. Importantly, there are efforts to improve diversity in comic books, moving away from the harmful minority stereotypes of years past and providing positive and empowering representation. This extends beyond the characters and includes creative teams composed of and led by Black, neurodivergent, LGBTQ+, and Asian American creators. This expands their media toolkit, and also provides sources of social connection with their peers.

Conclusion

Media consumption tends to get a bad rap when it comes to our children. Yet, as a parent, you need to be cognizant of the various positive and negative roles it can play in their lives. This in turn empowers both you and them to make more informed decisions about usage and how to support them.

As a parent, you know how important it is to meet the basic needs of your children. Most parents understand the benefits of proper nutrition and exercise for their kids. But, when it comes to making sure kids get enough sleep, there can be struggles.

According to the National Sleep Foundation, school-age children should get anywhere from 9-11 hours of sleep each night. Unfortunately, studies have shown that many children only get around 7-8 hours each night, and sometimes even less.

There are a variety of factors that can play into your child’s sleep health, but technology is a big one.

We live in a digital device society, and kids are getting smartphones and tablets in their hands very early on. While that isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it’s important to set boundaries when it comes to technology – especially when it comes to getting better sleep.

So, what’s the real issue with tech and sleep? If your child is having trouble getting to bed each night, what can you do to establish healthy boundaries between them and their devices? Let’s look at why your child needs to get more sleep, how technology could be hindering it, and how you can help.

Why Sleep is Important for Kids

You’ve probably heard that sleep is important for healthy growth. If your kids have had trouble sleeping for a while, you may have even said that as an incentive for them to get some shut-eye. But, making sure your children get enough sleep is crucial for so many different reasons beyond basic growth and development.

Not getting enough sleep, even as a child, can lead to problems like:

• High blood pressure
• Obesity
• Diabetes
• Increased risk of depression

Additionally, a lack of sleep can impact your child’s quality of life and how they get through each day. They might start to struggle in school, perform poorly in extracurricular activities, and even develop issues in their relationships. Their behaviors and attitude can change at home, especially if their mental health becomes impacted.

So, while sleep is vital for physical development and healthy functioning, it’s just as important for their mental and cognitive states.

How Technology Can Create Poor Sleep Hygiene

What does technology really have to do with kids not getting enough sleep? First, it’s been proven that most digital devices emit something called blue light. Blue light causes the body to produce less melatonin – a useful hormone that helps you feel drowsy. Exposure to blue light at night can distort the body’s natural circadian rhythms – the signals in the brain that tell your body when it’s time to be asleep and awake.

When your child’s circadian rhythms get out of sync, they’ll have a harder time falling asleep at night. Unfortunately, it doesn’t make them any less tired. Their body still needs sleep. So, they might start napping during the day or even falling asleep when they shouldn’t. That can create a vicious cycle. If they take a nap during the day, they’re less likely to sleep at night, throwing off those rhythms even more.

Digital devices can also stimulate your child’s brain, especially if they’re playing games or watching videos. That makes it even harder for them to get into a relaxed state and fall asleep. So, while many kids might have their phones or tablets by their bedside, it’s likely time to set boundaries to preserve their sleep hygiene.

What You Can Do

Not sure how to set those boundaries? It may not be easy, especially if your child is used to having their device(s) before bed. One of the best ways to make a change is to develop a routine with your child. That should start with them going to bed around the same time each night.

Part of the routine should include something you can do to replace technology. One idea is to try mindfulness with your child. When done correctly, it can reduce stress levels and bring them into a calmer state of mind. Especially if your child already practices it at school, you can practice mindfulness at home in a variety of ways, including:

• Guided meditation
• Breathing exercises
• Listening
• Journaling
• Gratitude practicing

Your main goal should be to establish an environment of relaxation and let your child know that their bed is for sleeping, not for scrolling through Instagram. As part of their routine, cut off electronic devices two hours before bedtime. This will give your child’s mind and body a chance to adjust and for the blue light to “wear off,” so their natural circadian rhythms won’t be disrupted.

Because we live in a world saturated with technology, these boundaries are difficult but necessary. Now that you know the importance of healthy sleep for your child, and what technology can do, try to implement a better routine and get them back in sync with healthy sleep habits. Talk to your kids about why these particular boundaries are important. When they have a better understanding and know the benefits of healthy sleep, they’re less likely to argue against the limits you’re putting in place.