Category: Online Safety for Kids

What is real? What is fake?  From images to videos, artificial intelligence continues to impress us with what it can do to making something look very real.  It’s difficult to tell whether or not something is legit. For decade, experts at photo shop were able to create fake images but now with AI, anyone with no experience can create a fake image.

This includes the creation of amazing looking videos in mere seconds.

When someone says they are “a skeptic”, it usually refers to a specific thing.

For example:

Question: “Do you believe in the ghosts?”
Answer:   “I am a skeptic”.

What they are saying is that on the topic of ghosts?  They are skeptical.

Now, if one were to say they are a skeptical person, they generally mean that they question most things and need to see evidence.

From the same word, skepticism is an attitude of doubt. It can be about a specific thing or a persistent attitude.

Internet Skepticism

So, with all that laid out as background, it’s safe to say that the internet is a single thing that feeds us many topics, opinions, images, and videos.  All of these elements come form many different sources, but “the internet” is the all-encompassing force in all of our daily lives.

Which brings us back to our original questions. How can you know what is real and what is fake?  We’d like to state the case for learning how to be an internet skeptic.  This means we can keep an open mind to new ideas, but when reading, viewing, or watching online, everything must scrutinized to determine it’s validity.  Otherwise, we open ourselves up to being duped.  It may be regarding something lighthearted and fun, or it may something that is more serious that harms us, such as a scam.

You may not doubt every single you see, based on your existing knowledge of facts, but if you do not know for sure because we have a limited knowledge on a subject, you can protect yourself as an internet skeptic. Always ask the question. Is this real?  In important matters, it will also prevent the spread of false information, much like unfounded gossip.

Real Life Case Study

So, this morning we found a video online that looked like the City of Toronto had dawned the CN Tower with a white sheet to look like ghost.

Red eyes shone from the viewing tower at night to look like eyes.

Some people stated in the comments that it was real because some they lived in an apartment close the CN tower and saw it with their own eyes.  Others said, “I can’t believe people think this is real”.  There was a debate going on.  Some people were making jokes, others sounded very serious about whether the video was real or the creation of AI.

If you saw this as an internet skeptic, you’ll immediately have doubts.  This is a good place to start.  If it’s something as fun as the CN tower being made to look like a ghost, you may simply say.  Who cares it’s real or not?  I don’t have time to research it, and you simply keep scrolling.

For more important issues, it’s going to be vital to get your facts straight and do your part to refute false or misleading information.  This is why it’s important to always questions everything you see or hear.  And this includes out in the real world.

So, was the CN Tower dressed like a ghost real?   No, it wasn’t.  And how do we know?  Well, we checked the live webcam of the CN tower that is broadcast 24/7 with images taken periodically.

CN Tower, Toronto, Canada

These images from the live webcam on the CN Tower were captured long after the original CN ghost video and images appeared. There is no big ghost in the sky. The original video and images captured from it are fake, either created using AI or photo shop.

How to Research Facts and Fiction Online

As an internet skeptic, here are some ways you can research information, images, and videos that you see online.

Check the Source’s Credibility

• Investigate the website or platform where the content originated. Established news outlets and academic sources generally have stricter fact-checking processes.
• Look for an “About Us” section or verify the organization’s reputation through a quick online search.
• On social media posts, read through the comments to see what others are saying. This is not a definitive way to determine validity, it’s simply one was to gain insight.

Cross-Reference Information

• Search for the same information on multiple reputable sources. If a story appears only on one source, especially an unfamiliar one, it may be false or misleading.
• For major events, see if other reliable news sites are covering it similarly.  Cross check social media posts against blogs and news outlets.

Use Reverse Image Search

• Use tools like Google Reverse Image Search or TinEye to see where an image has appeared online before. This helps identify if the image is recycled or used out of context.
• Reverse image search can also show if an image has been altered or misrepresented by comparing with the original.

Verify the Date and Location of Images and Videos

• Check for visual clues within the content that can give hints about the time and place, like weather conditions, vehicles, or clothing styles.
• Use tools like InVID, Amnesty’s YouTube DataViewer, or The Wayback Machine website to verify video origins, timestamps, and metadata.

Examine the Metadata

• Metadata can provide valuable details like the creation date, location, and device used for digital content. If metadata is available, tools such as Exif viewers can extract metadata from images.

Look for Red Flags in Writing Style and Content

• Watch for all-caps headlines, sensational language, grammatical errors, and overly emotional writing.  These are often signs of unreliable content.
• Check if the article is opinion-based, written by anonymous authors, or lacks proper sourcing.

Consult Fact-Checking Sites

• Websites like Snopes, FactCheck.org and TruthorFiction.com specialize in verifying viral content, such as internet myths, hoaxes, news stories, and other claims that are circulating online.
• Use these investigative type platforms to gain context or history on recurring rumors and misleading content.

Inspect Social Media Profiles

• When content comes from social media, examine the profile to assess if it’s verified, has a history of reliable posts, and engages in genuine interactions.
• Fake profiles often have very few posts, low engagement, and lack a profile history or personal connections.

Check for Altered or Edited Content

• Look for subtle clues of digital alteration, like inconsistent lighting, unusual shadows, or blurred edges, especially in images.
• For videos, check for unnatural breaks or audio-visual mismatches that may indicate edits or splicing.

Engage with the Online Community

• Certain platforms, like Reddit or specialized forums, have communities dedicated to debunking and analyzing misinformation.
• Be cautious and verify all findings independently, but these communities often reveal additional insights or overlooked details.

Using these strategies, skeptics can approach online content with a critical eye and make more informed decisions about the reliability of what they see.

On a Final Note

Research takes work.  Sometimes images and videos are just for fun.  Other times, they can be used for malicious purposes.  The more the general internet population believes everything they see and hear, the more harm it will do when there are issues that are important.  This includes scams, false information about health and safety, and the spread of ignorance and hate about people.

There are many social media creators trying to get your ‘like’ and ‘follow’. Critical thinking is also your best friend when looking at something for the first time. Ask how plausible is what you are seeing?  Don’t be afraid to be an internet skeptic.

Online gaming platforms such as Roblox provide endless entertainment for children. However, maintaining your child’s privacy while they play Roblox is crucial. Kids often interact with others online, potentially exposing them to privacy risks. We’ll guide you through essential strategies for ensuring your child stays safe.

Understanding Roblox and Its Appeal

Roblox is a popular platform where children create, share, and play games. Its user-generated content and social interaction features make it appealing. However, these same features can expose children to privacy concerns. Knowing what Roblox offers helps parents set appropriate boundaries and safeguards.

The Privacy Risks Inherent in Online Gaming

Online gaming environments like those your child can find in Roblox can pose significant privacy risks. They may inadvertently share personal information through profile details or in-game chats. There are many ways in which digital privacy can be compromised without your knowledge; taking steps to protect your child’s information can prevent serious issues later on. Awareness of these risks is the first step toward proactive protection.

Fortunately, Roblox is very aware of its primary user base and takes steps to prevent players from sharing personal information. Roblox automatically blocks key phrases in chat to prevent users from requesting or sharing legal names, addresses, and numbers. However, no censorship system is perfect, and players may ask questions outside of the game’s filter to gather information about your child.

Monitoring and Communication

Regularly checking in on your child’s online activity is essential. Engage with them about what they enjoy on Roblox and any new friends they make. Monitoring is not just about looking over their shoulder but also maintaining a dialogue that reinforces trust and safety. This approach allows you to identify any potential issues before they evolve into problems.

Leveraging Parental Controls

Roblox provides parental control features to help you manage what your child can see and do. Parental controls can be set to limit game access, block online chat functionalities, and restrict spending within the platform. By customizing these settings, you create a safer gaming environment tailored to your child’s age and maturity level.

Navigating Roblox Account Settings

Roblox offers various settings to help protect your child’s information. Here’s a quick guide to navigating these settings:

• Access account settings by clicking the gear icon in the top-right corner.
• Select “Privacy” to adjust who can communicate with your child.
• Enable “Account Restrictions” to limit interactions to only curated content.
• Regularly monitor the “Security” tab to ensure two-step verification is active.

Teaching Safe Online Interaction

Discussing online safety with your child is vital. Teaching your child how to safely engage with others online empowers them to make smart decisions. Discuss scenarios they might encounter and role-play responses. Encourage open dialogue about their online experiences to ensure they feel comfortable reporting any issues.

Conclusion

Fostering a secure gaming experience for your child requires effort and vigilance. By maintaining your child’s privacy while they play Roblox, parents can foster a safe and enjoyable environment. Open communication and proactive settings management are key to a positive gaming experience, so stay engaged, stay informed, and keep your child’s digital world safe.

For children and teenagers, they open a huge space where they can study, communicate, and even play. But as it is true with every playground the internet also has its downside or advantages depending on how one takes it. From hate baiting and stalking to viruses and Trojan horses, simply going for a sail on the World Wide Web can be a real journey for the young mind.

And so, we come to the notion of ‘Cyber Heroes’ – respective games which are entirely dedicated to the establishment of proper net conduct.

Perhaps most parents may not appreciate the impact that games can have on education. However, the research revealed that I was rather surprised to know that games are extremely useful for learning purposes. They intervene in children’s need for play and challenge and reward them as they successfully perform through the games.

But let’s take a closer look at how these “Cyber Hero” games in particular help children learn what they need to know and gain the skills they need to protect themselves when they use the Internet. Here’s a closer look:

Problem-Solving Through Play:

Most of the online safety games are in the form of adventure games. In their turn, learners may get exposed to a territory in the virtual space, performing some actions that implies the solving of certain puzzles, and confronting various types of potentially malicious scenarios on the Internet. Here, children are able to gain good experiences of decision making processes.

They make decisions, they take chances, some are big and some small and there are always repercussions to actions. Such an approach enables the learners to appreciate better aspects of the topic and develop personal and constructive lessons on cyberbullying, passwords, and even hatred content.

Building Confidence and Communication Skills:

Games can also have an enabling effect on children where they allow the kid to have some control or agency within the digital terrain. Thus, by identifying all the challenges and overcoming online foes such as malware monsters or phishing phantoms, they become confident in approaching different online situations. The use of such a sense of empowerment allows the child to talk freely with the parents or the guardian in case of experiencing any issues in the use of the internet.

Challenges and Considerations:

It is necessary underlined that ‘Cyber Hero’ games present precious opportunities however There are some difficulties. However, most of these games are greatly influenced by age appropriateness and engagement. Simpler cases might overwhelm young children while the elder kids might not be interested in very simple games. Finding the right level is highly important.

However, the free use of games cannot substitute for frank discussions about internet security. That is why parents must be very involved in the social activities of their kids. Talking about content and points of concern in the games and setting up the proverbial dos and don’ts of online interaction are in order in order to set up safety protocols.

Games that Teach Online Safety

Here are a few games that teach kids about staying safe.

• Cyber-Five:  Designed for younger kids, the focus is on basic rules of online safety, such as protecting personal information, being kind online, asking a trusted adult, standing up to cyberbullying, and not talking to strangers.

• Webonauts Internet Academy:  Developed by PBS Kids, this game guides children through different online scenarios to teach and test online behavior.

• Common Sense Media (Digital Passport):   Online activities that teach responsible communication, safety and security, privacy, and creative credit.

• Be Internet Awesome (Google):  In Interland, players embark on adventures in a colorful virtual world.  They learn about privacy, sharing, digital citizenship, and how to deal with cyberbullying.

• Netsmartz Kids: Developed by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, characters like Clicky, Nettie, and Webster help children understand internet safety tips in a fun way.

• ThinkUKnow (Cyber Café):  Helps kids learn about online safety by simulating real-life situations in a café setting. They interact with different characters and face decisions about social media, gaming, and chatting online.

Beyond the Game: Expanding Online Safety Knowledge

This goes a long way beyond virtual worlds, where “Cyber Hero” games reside. These can be used just as a background and beginning point for the next levels of education. Here are some additional ways families can build upon the foundation established by these games:

• Family Movie Nights: Select programmes that depict issues to do with internet safety and bullying, which will act as discussion points to teach responsible internet usage.

• Digital Citizenship Workshops: Huge numbers of libraries and schools conduct specific workshops for children on how to remain safe and be responsible users of the internet.

Conclusion:

Through the “Cyber Hero” games children enjoy a number of different games while at the same time learning helpful lessons about the online world. These games help young minds to have a tool of engaging in their affairs the digital way through fun, while at the same time having the appropriate knowledge to guide them through the activities they engage in the digital world.

As mentioned, games alone are not the solution, but they constitute part of the solution. A combination of effective communication, constructive instructions from parents, and handwork are the key ideas that can help children avoid any dangerous experience on the Internet. Teach me then and let’s work hand in hand to prepare our young ones to become real ‘Cyber Heroes.”

On average, teens in the US spend eight to nine hours of their day using screens, with boys spending approximately one more hour than girls. Despite warnings about the overuse of the Internet, users obtain many benefits from their time online, including having access to information, connecting with friends, expressing themselves, and boosting their well-being.

Of course, all these benefits arise only when screens are used in moderation. As found in a recent study, brain scans indicate that teens who are addicted to the Internet undergo changes in the parts of the brain that are involved in active thinking.

These changes lead to additional addictive behavior, as well as changes in intellectual ability, physical coordination, and mental health. How can parents help their children strike the perfect balance between Internet use and a healthy, happy life?

Involving Children in Decision-Making

As kids grow up, they begin taking their first steps toward independence, and involving them in setting up boundaries for their Internet use is a great way to make them feel like their voice matters. When deciding how much time they should use on the Net for non-study-related matters, parents can set “non-negotiable limits” (for instance, no tech use in a child or teen’s bedroom at night) while also giving kids some leeway. For instance, if a child enjoys gaming, they can be given options (for example, they can choose to either play for half an hour a day after doing their homework or play for three hours total on weekends).

Honing Kids’ Digital Literacy

One of the most impactful ways of teaching children and adolescents the importance of keeping personal information private is to discuss real-life scenarios in which kids failed to do so. Real-life stories can show kids how fast information travels on the Net and how permanent what you post can become owing to the speed with which posts are shared. Useful tips to share with kids include accepting friendship invitations only from people they know in real life and keeping online-only friends to the virtual sphere or involving parents if they wish to meet a friend they have met online.

Kids should also know exactly what to do if they have an online conflict or if someone cyberbullies them. They should immediately report any such cases to parents, record evidence of bullying and other negative behaviors, and block bullies. Parents can help contact sites or apps to report bad behavior.

Monitoring Online Activity

Depending on the age of your children, your monitoring efforts need to vary. For instance, with young children, it is a good idea to place their computer in a common area (such as the living room) so you can keep an eye on what they are viewing. You can also block websites on Chrome and other browsers they access and use general monitoring services to monitor everything from how much time your child spends on apps to their online searches and social media use.

For younger children, you can consider blocking social media sites as a rule to avoid exposing them to cyberbullies. Since major social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter require users to be at least 13, it is also a good idea to block these platforms if your kids are underage.

Embracing the Art of Active Listening

If you want your kids to share their online experiences with you, then it is important to be a good listener. Kids should know that they can talk to you about the good and bad things they have encountered online without being responded to with emotionally reactive or judgmental words.

Active listening involves listening to someone else with full attention, allowing them to speak, and paraphrasing what they are saying so they know you are interested in what they are saying. It also involves holding back the urge to interrupt or give one’s opinion too quickly, before the person has had a chance to tell you everything that happened.

The Internet is a fact of life for most kids and has many academic and social benefits, so long as it is used in moderation. The good news is that parents can help their children make the most of online interactions. They can do so by listening to their children, teaching them digital literacy skills, and monitoring their Internet usage in an age-appropriate manner.