10+ Actionable Online Safety Tips for Tweens and Teens

Our teen’s and tweens’ scholastic and social life were suddenly relocated online as a result of home detention, creating a breeding ground for risky or harmful online habits. More time online provides the door for undesirable online behavior, from cyberbullying to severe depression to sexting as well as predators.

Big digital corporations must prioritize making their platforms & products safer for children, but we cannot expect this to happen anytime soon. At home, we must take action. It is more vital than ever for parents to be aware of the online hazards that their teens, as well as tweens, face. Now and forever.

So, what is ‘Online Safety?

In simple terms, the act of remaining secure online is referred to as online safety. It is also known as internet security, e-security, or cyber security. From PCs and laptops to mobile phones and tablets, it refers to any technological device that can connect to the internet.

Individuals who are secure online safeguard themselves or others from online hazards and dangers that may compromise their personal details, lead to dangerous conversations, or even have an impact on their mental health and wellness.

Why internet safety important for teens?

The significance of Internet security in terms of a wide range of information, personal data, and property protection is critical. Internet security is especially critical for people while using online banking and shopping services.

The use of the internet in our daily lives is increasing all around the world.

Users find the usage of the internet in online paying bills, shopping, payment services, electronic transfers, mobile banking, and even digital wallets appealing. As a result, the internet is a good place for hackers, thieves, and pickers to gather sensitive data from any country.

Since its conception, internet technology has had an impact on our lives. Every citizen of the country must use the internet safely and reliably to avoid exposing personal data.

So, these are the reasons why internet security is so important today all over the world.

What are the most common online dangers?

Here are the top five cyber hazards you should be aware of right now.

Protecting your digital content, intellectual property and business involves awareness and general knowledge of the hazards that exist in the cyber world.

1-Cyberbullying

2-Ransomware

3-Phishing

4-Data leakage

5-Hacking

6-The insider threat

7-Sexting

8-Pornography

1-Cyberbullying:

Teenage people have a long history of putting on one another, but today’s taunting and abuse extend beyond the high school gates. Your teen’s world can be invaded by social media, email, texting, & instant messaging (IM) at any time. Sadly, cyberbullying has been linked to suicide in a number of cases.

2-Ransomware

This is a type of malware (malicious programs) that encrypts (scrambles) your data and then demands a ransom in exchange for a key to open it. The majority of ransomware is spread via fraudulent emails.

To secure your business, follow these simple actions.

• Employee awareness:

Unsolicited emails should be avoided, especially if they request a quick answer.

• Malware defense:

Anti-virus & malware protection software should be installed and updated on a regular basis.

• Updates to software:

Maintain the most recent versions of your programs.

• Backups of data:

You can recover from an unencrypted edition of a file via a succession of well-managed backup data. Ensure you test your backups on a regular basis.

3-Sexting:

Sexting may get you into a lot of trouble, whether you are sending or receiving images (or engaging in provocative dialogue). Sexting can have a variety of effects, ranging from serious reputation harm to child pornography prosecutions, based on how far it goes and whether or not shared photos remain private.

4- The insider threat

If your company hires employees (full-time or contract), there is a chance they will leak data inadvertently or deliberately. The consequences of a document leak should not be underestimated.

To reduce the size of any data breach, follow these guidelines.

• Teach your staff to be on the lookout for problems and to avoid making stupid blunders.
• Limit the amount of data that employees have access to. All IT systems should follow the notion of “least privilege access.” Only give employees the access they need to perform their jobs.
• Limit the usage of portable storage devices including USB flash drives, portable hard drives, as well as media players.
• In specific cases, consider employing programs to monitor employee behavior, such as who copies what. It is important to remember that, in addition to technology, well-developed policies, procedures, and staff training go a fair way toward securing your precious data in all of these areas.

4-Pornography:

Pornography exposure can have a long-term effect on your teen’s ability to develop healthy, loving future relationships. It fosters unreasonable expectations, which can harm a teenager’s self-esteem and perplex his or her understanding of love relationships.

5-Hacking

Criminals can still make a killing by gaining access to a company’s IT systems from the outside. They have tried to get access to bank information or credit card databases in the past. Intellectual property, on the other hand, is a valuable asset.

Social engineering, which involves persuading employees into exposing user credentials, is still a problem.

The most effective way to keep teenagers safe from cyber-attacks

Network firewalls, shared data security, processes for providing and deleting access, and user information, and education are the key approaches for preventing hacking.

How a teen can Be Smart Online

Check your mood

Examine your state of mind! Are you irritated or enraged? Then it is not the best moment to send a text message or make a social media post. When people are worried or irritated, they do not always make excellent decisions instead think clearly. If you must, contact someone or go for a walk before venting on the internet.

Remain as anonymous
When you are on a website, attempt to keep your identity hidden as much as possible. This includes keeping all personal data confidential. The following are examples of private data that you should never reveal to the public:

• your full name
• any photograph
• your current location

Some phones include built-in automatic GPS applications that may need to be disabled.

• home and school address
• phone numbers
• Passwords for Social Security numbers
• passwords
• names of family persons
• credit card numbers

Red Alert

The majority of trustworthy persons and businesses will not ask for this type of data over the internet. If others do, it is a warning sign that they are up to anything bad. If you are unsure, always check with a guardian, especially when purchasing online or signing up for a site or app.

Create a unique email address and user name.

Before you choose an email address or a username, think twice. In both, use a mix of letters and numbers that do not reveal whether your men or a woman.

WHEN A CHILD PREDATOR CONTACTS YOUR CHILD, TAKE THESE 3 STEPS.

1. A) Everything should be documented. Take a screenshot of the record of your child’s conversations with the predator.
2. B) Seek assistance and make contact with law enforcement. Do not attempt to deal with this on your own.
3. C) To ban and report to an internet platform, follow the steps provided by law enforcement.

Online Safety Tips for Your Teen

11 Must-Read Pieces of Advice on How to Stay Safe Online

• Dangerous Stranger
• Take a look at your privacy settings
• Keep in mind that posting is permanent.
• Make sure your passwords are strong.
• Never give out any personal information.
• Be on the lookout for bogus news.
• Be considerate towards others.
• Remember that our social media lifestyles are not the whole story.

Now we understand in detail. That how can you protect your teens, while using of internet

1-Set up Ground Rules

Outline your standards for online behavior and establish internet safety rules to keep your teen safe. Share email accounts and internet usernames and passwords, for example. Determine which social networking applications and websites are safe to use and which are not.

Internet safety procedures

Below are some more safe internet practices to consider.

• Personal information such as your entire name, address, mobile number, and Social Security number should not be shared online.
• Use public Wi-Fi networks sparingly.
• Allowing someone else to use your phone, computer, or tablet is not a good idea.
• Accepting friend requests from strangers is not a good idea.
• Emails from unknown sources should not be opened.
• Do not open the website or download anything unless you have discussed it with an adult beforehand.
• Do not send photographs by SMS, IM, or the internet.

2-Use Different Passwords for Different Accounts

Many people make this error using the same password for various accounts. But believe me when I say that this gives hackers a good possibility of obtaining that one password and logging into all of your accounts at the same time.

When creating a new account, always use a strong password. And, if you are worried about forgetting your passwords, use a reputable password manager to help you remember them.

3-Connect Online

Keep track of your teen’s social media accounts and request that they add you as a friend. This can be more than just a precaution; it can also be a pleasant way to stay connected with your teen and create trust. The ability to anticipate possible danger and avert it is the key benefit of trying to contact your teen.

4-Be Your Kid’s First Friend

If your child wants to download a new social application or network, make it a requirement that you be the first friend they join. This not only allows you to see what they are up to online, but it also allows you to learn more about the app and its potential risks.

5-Avoid Tracking Cookies

Cookie exposure might occur as a result of a teen’s browsing activities. Cookies, in my opinion, do not pose a threat to your online security. However, if you do not want websites to collect your information in this way, you can disable cookie tracking on your PC or laptop.

Some websites offer the option to “Disable Cookie Tracking,” although this may also disable other functionality.

You can do the following for other websites:

• From Google Chrome, go to Settings.
• Select Privacy.
• Select the checkbox next to the line – With your surfing traffic, send a “Do Not Track” request.

6-Use Private Browsing Mode

Please keep in mind that this is a voluntary process that may or may not work for some websites. When browsing the internet, utilize “Private Browsing Mode” to avoid cookies.

7-Make it a formal agreement.

Consider creating a Media Plan for Your Family. Alternatively, a tech contract between the child and the parent. This technique can be tailored to your children’s ages and online interests, with the broad concept that you have agreed on some concrete internet and gadget usage restrictions together.

8-Make Wittine List

Of course, children are not always willing to follow the rules, but having a printed list to refer to can help consolidate and reinforce good online behavior.

Consider establishing ground rules, such as “no personalized messages with strangers” or “never send personal photos to anyone online.” Whatever is most convenient for your family.

9-Be a good role model.

Use the fact that children imitate people around them to your benefit! Parents may do the same for their children online as they do in the actual world. Empathy, perseverance, and self-esteem should all be emphasized in your activities, both online and offline.

10-Always use social media to share stuff that is respectful.

When you can, make your posts uplifting and encouraging rather than mean-spirited or provocative. Avoid arguing in social media comments or insulting others. These habits could someday show up in your child’s online profile.

Some Frequently Asked Question about Internet Usage of Teens

What do thirteen-year-olds do online?

Some of the activities that 13-year-olds in the United States can do online without parental permission include: Instagram is a suitable place to share photographs and stories. Make a Facebook group for it. Use Twitter to tweet or retweet.

Is it necessary for teenagers to be cautious when it comes to Internet statistics?

81 percent of parents of online kids believe their children are not careful enough when sharing personal information online. When it comes to revealing personal information online, 79 percent of online kids think that they are not vigilant enough.

Why is social media being for 13 and up?

Due to the general Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), which was implemented in 1998, the age limit is 13 years old. Because COPPA prohibits websites from location information on children under the age of 13, most apps do not allow children under the age of 13 to join.

Is it safe for a teenager to use the Internet?

However, according to a new study, spending quite so much time on the Internet can lead to health risks. According to the findings, kids who spend a lot of time on the internet are at a higher risk of developing high blood pressure. High blood pressure causes increased outward pressure on the arterial wall, as the name implies. Blood pressure rises as a result of exercise.

Is it unlawful to use Instagram if you are under the age of 13?

Before someone can make an account on Instagram, they must be at least 13 years old. This age limit may be greater in some areas. Accounts representing children under the age of 13 must mention in their bio that they are controlled by a parent or administrator.

Conclusion
In conclusion, while boundaries and structures are vital for teen’s safety. But it is also more important to develop healthy and safe relationships.