Category: Online Safety for Kids

You do not have very go far these days to access free public Wi-Fi. It is available in airports, libraries, cafes, hotels and government buildings. This is helpful but it is important for both adults and kids to make sure they do not trade safety and security for convenience. Just because the public building you are in is reputable, does not mean the Wi-Fi connection is secure.

When using your smart phone or computer in a public hotspot, you need to be careful to ensure the Wi-Fi network is encrypted. Otherwise, it opens you up to the risk of having your online accounts hacked. This could result in cyber thieves stealing your personal information.

Here are two basic safety tips to keep in mind to protect your information.  And then we will explore additional ways to stay safe while online in public.

1.  Check if the Public Wi-Fi Network is Secure

As mentioned, we are not worried about the people who control the Wi-Fi network.  The risk is when others around us are in the business of hacking into the personal accounts using the network. safety-tips-that-both-adults-and-kids-need-to-know-while-using-public-wifi/ It could be the person sitting across from you in a coffee shop, or just outside on the street. 

If the public Wi-Fi network does not ask you to enter in a WPA or WPA2 password, the network is not secure. As you are probably thinking, this is most places.  The most common public Wi-Fi networks that require a password are internet providers with home you have an account.

2.  Ensure the website you are on shows https 

An example of this is https://youraccount.com or https://yourbank.com.  Secure websites will encrypt your information as you use the site.  Unsecured sites do not have the “s” in them, such as http:// (your information is not encrypted and kept safe if you don’t see the “s”)

Unsecured websites will also show a padlock that is unlocked.  Here is an example of what a secured website looks like.  Notice how with website URL with https also has a closed lock.

Clicking the lock will reveal more information about the secure site.  Now you can be sure you are on a secured website.

On a mobile website, it will look like this.

If you are using a site that is not secure and locked, you open yourself up to hackers that can access your personal accounts and steal your data.  This could mean your name, address, phone number, address book and photos.

Hackers need to see you on a public WiFi to be able to monitor your activity, so one sure fire way to to prevent this (regardless of being on an unsecured network) is to encrypt your data by using a VPN. It can be turned on when you wish, such as when you are in public or traveling.

Here are more ways to protect your personal information when using public Wi-Fi.

• It is good idea to have different passwords for each of your online accounts. This way if a cyber thief gets a hold of your email and password on one of your accounts, they will be unable to log into other accounts using the same password.
• Educate yourself on the various ways cyber attacks happen even when you are in the safety of your own home network, such as Phishing, Vishing and SMishing. Hacking through public WiFi is less common than these other methods used.
• Do not email important information about yourself for any reason.  This includes credit card details, bank account information and your personal government ID number. You should never do this even if a network is secure, not even from home.
• When accessing accounts in public, whether it is your own computer or a PC in a library, always log out when finished.
• Take advantage of 2 step verification methods being offered within your personal accounts.  This will add further security because 2 step verification means you cannot log in until you enter a secret code that is sent to you by text or via the Google Authenticator App.

If you are in doubt about the security using any public Wi-Fi network or website, it is best to restrict your activity online to general use, such as searching Google while you are not logged into your Google account.

Do not log into any personal accounts and if you find it necessary to do so, disconnect from Wi-Fi and use your personal cell data.  Even then, it is always important to ensure the websites on your account pages start with https in the URL.  Most major accounts websites are secure, but if you do not see https something may be wrong.

If you are in doubt about the security using any public Wi-Fi network or website, it’s best to restrict your activity online to general use, such as searching Google while you are not logged into your Google account.

Don’t log into any other personal accounts and if you find it necessary to do so, disconnect from Wi-Fi and use your personal cell data.  Even then, it’s always important to ensure the websites on your account pages start with https in the url.  Most major accounts websites are secure, but if you don’t see https something may be wrong.   

Additional Resources:

• Now that you’ve read about public WiFi safety, learn about WiFi security on your home network.
• Learn how to protecting your family from identity theft while traveling.

Being good citizens can mean connecting with others, exercising empathy, and forming friendships. The concept of digital citizenship is quite similar, but it involves using modern devices like computers to form those connections.

With the world spinning toward virtual gatherings and learning more than ever before, it’s never been more important to understand the concept of digital citizenship

Generally, this can be summed up with nine elements and there are a plethora of activities to teach digital citizenship. Here, we’re providing an overview of those nine tenets to ensure you — and your tech-savvy kids or students — are mindful of how you’re exercising digital citizenship.

Be sure to download the Digital Citizenship PDF
resources found at the end of this page.

1. Digital access

Not everyone can afford modern technology. We should strive to accommodate people with less digital access by providing alternatives to classroom assignments or making required technology available.

2. Digital etiquette

Those who aren’t used to computers may take online feedback personally. Anonymous online profiles can make people feel combative and negative. However, by teaching digital etiquette, we can learn to treat digital interactions the same as real ones.

3. Digital commerce

Digital commerce has become commonplace — people of all ages buy things online. Without knowledge of digital commerce, people’s personal information can be put at risk. Teaching online safety how to properly navigate the web can help us understand how to avoid putting our personal information at risk.

4. Digital rights and responsibilities

Using anonymity to bully people on the internet takes away their right to be safe online. Teaching digital rights and responsibilities means teaching that respecting people online is just as important as respecting them in real life.

5. Digital literacy

Digital literacy involves spreading awareness of these nine elements and helping others treat the internet responsibly. It also teaches people to recognize fake information. Since so many vital social interactions happen online, staying safe and productive now includes understanding the difference between genuine and harmful content.

6. Digital law

The internet may appear abstract, but it has its own laws that everyone must follow. You can break copyright law by uploading someone else’s content or steal someone’s identity by hacking their email. And these crimes are just as severe as their real-life counterparts. We need to know and respect digital law so we can follow it and keep ourselves safe.

7. Digital communication

Everyone with access to the internet has a digital voice that they can use to express themselves. This freedom can tempt people to express anger or spread misinformation. Respectful, productive digital communication requires thinking of these communications professionally, rather than emotionally.

8. Digital health and wellness

Knowing when to unplug from a device or the internet is another element of digital citizenship. Monitoring the amount of time we’re eying screens and also our ergonomic setups all play into our health and wellness.

9. Digital security

Viruses, scams, malware, and other cyber threats exist. Being a digital citizen means understanding best practices for how to avoid them, including how to protect our devices and respond to digital security issues when they do happen.

Downloadable Resources

The nine elements of digital citizenship teach us how to treat each other and how to stay safe online. The internet can be a productive, amazing place where people make new friends, find new jobs, and learn new things.  If we all exercise these nine elements of digital citizenship, that makes for a more positive digital world for everyone.

Here are some PDF downloads provided by Norton, who has created the following digital citizen resources for students.

Choose the resources that suit the age of your students.

• • The 9 D’s of Digital Citizenship
  • Examples of Digital Citizenship
  • Computer Basics Coloring Page
  • Digital Citizenship Jeopardy Game
  • Jeopardy Questions and Answer Key
  • Digital Citizenship Bingo Game
  • Bingo Game Questions

Not too long ago, children were born into this world and going on the internet as a preschooler was the last thing on any parent’s mind as a fun thing for their kids to do. If they did, it certainly was not from the palm of their hand on a smartphone or tablet, much less a gaming device connected to friends online.

Children nowadays access the internet daily for school or pastime starting from a very young age. And since they might be too young to understand potential threats and consequences of their actions, parents, educators, and online service providers are obligated to step in and promote safe internet for children.

If you’re a parent, you already know that keeping children safe in the ‘Internet of Things’ era is an uphill task. However, technological advancement doesn’t only mean more risks or dangers for children online or in an educational setting at school.

Here are some technological trends that are making the internet a safer place for children.

Internet of Things

The Internet of Things or IoT, in short, enables a seamless connection between multiple devices. In a broader sense, everyday devices contain sensors and stream data to and from the internet.

Ironically, many IoT devices like baby monitors and smart toys have gone from a way to protect children to devices that could put them at significant risk.

Regulatory bodies are continuously making efforts to impose safety standards on manufacturers of such devices and toys. These regulations call for stronger protocols and encryption and more options available in parental controls so that parents can filter out questionable content and the amount or nature of data being collected.

Using apps that sync across devices, parents can access and control many of these devices from a distance. This is greatly beneficial for monitoring which data is being exchanged, through which channels, and ensuring that sensitive data doesn’t fall into the wrong hands (or ears). It makes it easy for parents and educators to keep an eye on children’s activities both online and offline.

User and Entity Behavior Analytics

Online parenting forums are awash with hacking incidents where passwords and usernames fall into the wrong hands. Once a hacker gains access to your account or device, they can waltz in and do as they please.

Unfortunately, not all breaches are detected fast enough to prevent damage or data leaks. This is especially problematic if personal data of children are involved.

In the future, such incidents should create less worry for parents, though.

One of the latest advancements in cybersecurity is User Behavior Analytics (UBA). The technology uses data analytics to identify anomalous user behavior and alerts administrators about suspicious activities.

UBA uses machine learning technologies to “learn” about a user’s normal and regular activity pattern. It can then differentiate between a legitimate user’s activity and an attacker who has gained entry by compromising log-in credentials if these activities don’t fit the norm of the legitimate user.

While UBA is still only in the realm of large organizations, its ability to quickly detect and respond to unusual activities in places that children frequently visit makes it a viable solution for minimizing future data breaches and leaks.

Multifactor Authentication

Many applications, websites, and devices use Multifactor Authentication or MFA in short, to improve account security and protect against identity theft. Technically, MFA refers to any system where a user must use at least two authentication forms to access a device, an application, or a website.

If your children use devices or applications, you’ll find MFA handy. Immediately after you log into a device with your username and password, the account server will prompt you to provide a second and independent authentication form.

It’s more or less what happens when bank security asks to see your social security card even though your funds are already secure.

MFA’s concept is that it’s difficult to pretend you’re someone you’re not when you have to prove who you are in different ways repeatedly.

If you’re monitoring how often your child uses a device, MFA will make it hard for your child to use the device even after getting their hands on the device without your approval. Most importantly, it will help keep out those that shouldn’t have access to it in the first place.

AI and ML

AI, along with IoT and other emerging technologies like ML, are continuing to change how we use the internet. Nearly all modern devices that enter the market are IoT enabled. This includes not only smartphones but also TVs and gaming consoles, as well as almost all Virtual Reality gaming setups.

Together, these technologies are shaping a safer internet environment for children. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning come complete with advanced language processing abilities. That means that unsafe content can easily be filtered out.

As an example, such technology enables fast image processing that analyses the content of the image and then interferes before a child can see it.

Recently, Instagram updated its filters to remove comments intended to upset or harass its users automatically. The new filter hides negative comments about a person’s character, appearance, and any other content that poses a threat to a user’s physical health and well-being.

Wrap Up

The internet is an exciting place, but is it really safe? Can you, as a parent, allow your children to use it unsupervised? The answer is probably a resounding no. There are apps available to monitor internet activity in your home and on your child’s phone. 

Online safety is a continuous battle that never ends. Malicious attacks, inappropriate content, and data theft methods continue to evolve along with the technologies intended to prevent them.

So what can a busy parent do? The answer lies in taking advantage of tech trends designed to prevent malicious content from showing up in searches. Teachers can also incorporate the use of social media in the classroom while teaching internet safety.

Using safe environments such as Safe Search for Kids, YouTube Kids, and implementing all available mechanisms to filter out inappropriate content on devices is a start. Tech progress and trends like some of these mentioned here will contribute to making the internet a safer place for kids.

About the author:

Ashley Wilson is a digital nomad and writer for hire, specialized in business and tech topics. In her self-care time, she practices yoga via Youtube. She has been known to reference movies in casual conversation and enjoys trying out new food. You can get in touch with Ashley via Twitter.

With the rise of online banking and payment services, it’s important to teach your children how to use online finances responsibly. Unfortunately, more digital transactions mean greater risk for young people who are unaware of how to keep their data safe. This article shows you how you can protect your children.

The Rise of Mobile Banking and Finance

Mobile banking has risen quickly over the last decade. In 2012, only 21% of cell phone owners around the world used digital banking services.  While some people are still more hesitant to use online-only banks, that figure has grown to 89% of all Americans. The number of those who access their own bank’s digital services is growing as users ditch paper statements to reduce paper waste.

Digital finance is a growing trend among young people as well. With the increased popularity of digital investment apps, online loan services, and accessible payments via social media and other services, the generation that grew up online is content keeping all their finances digital. The pandemic has also elevated their use of online financial processing.

4 Ways to Teach Your Kids To Protect Themselves

While there are plenty of opportunities for kids today to manage all their money virtually, there is also plenty of danger. Compromised or stored passwords, threats from hackers, and online companies selling data are just some of the threats they face. Here are four ways you can help your children to protect themselves.

1. Teach Your Kids About Online Security and Safety

No matter what age a person is, everyone should be aware of how vulnerable their data is when they are online. Their information can be shared, stolen, or manipulated. Even their very identity is at risk.

Teaching your children to protect their online profiles is your first priority. For example, help them to develop good password management habits, including writing strong ones and keeping them safe and secret. They can also download software that helps them keep their passwords secure.

Even with a robust password, kids need to understand that his or her data is not necessarily private. Companies store and use profiles from social media and other apps for marketing, demographic information, and more. They may also sell that data to third party firms.

It’s important to know that since the pandemic, both children and predators are spending more time online. Your kids can be targeted whenever they are on social media or online gaming. Teach them to practice good internet safety habits, such as not sharing personal information with strangers and avoiding suggestive screen names.

Mastering these internet privacy skills is important as your children expand their use of online finances. Show them how to use technical tools to protect themselves, including cookies, private browsing, and antivirus software.

2. The Pitfalls of Online Shopping

Online shopping today is even simpler than placing an order at Amazon. Maybe too simple. Money can be sent in the blink of an eye, without needing excessive verification. That also means it’s easy to give your money to the wrong people or to send money unintentionally.

One of the most valuable things you can teach kids about is the dangers of online shopping. Walk them through an online shopping experience: teach them how to double-check the cart, why it’s unsafe to store credit card data, and what information they should never give out. For example, a legitimate online shop will not ask you for your social security number.

3. The New World of Electronic Payments: Facebook and Venmo

Be aware that your children might send money to an online vendor through Facebook, such as buying an item that a friend has made. While Facebook has its own security measures, teach them only to purchase from people they know in real life to protect their money. You should also teach techniques to secure their Facebook accounts, such as two-factor authentication.

Venmo is another popular app for online money transactions, however, you must be 18 years old to use it. Parents should know that Venmo transactions are public and, therefore, visible to everyone. If they make an accidental purchase, it can be more difficult to get their money back, so instruct your children to be highly cautious when using this app.

4. Helping Your Kids Avoid Bad Debt

Digital apps are now available that allow everyday people to invest or take out loans without a lot of experience or collateral. To protect them from unsound financial decisions, you need to teach your kids about debt. Explain concepts like the importance of credit scores, how to manage a budget, and why debt can have a good or bad impact on their financial future.

Teaching them to manage their bank accounts is important too. Paper bank registers may be a thing of the past, but online banking applications offer a variety of aides that can keep your children on top of their accounts. Tools like alerts and automatic savings deductions, along with regularly keeping track of online statements, can help your kids safely manage their money.

There are also budget management apps available. These can be useful but remember to tell your kids that the more apps they use for fiscal planning, the more they are vulnerable to theft. Limiting financial apps to a very few is a good way to keep your child’s data safe.

The rise of mobile banking, online shopping, and digital family financial planning provide a lot of options for your children to manage their money. However, they also put them at great risk. Teaching them safe financial practices can help them make wise choices while keeping their data and money safe.

Equipping kids how to resist consumer debt in general goes hand in hand with raising them how to be responsible consumers through all the stages of their lives.