Internet Terms That Every Parent Should Be Aware of: Top 5 Picks

Most of the systems that we use in today’s world have been fully digitised. It means that they have been converted into a digital form that can be processed by a computer. To add to this, there is social media, which almost all of us have accepted as a part of our lives. This digital world can be perplexing to children and adolescents. So, parents should make an active effort to stay informed about the digital world. Let’s begin that journey by learning a few important terms related to the digital world.

Internet terms that parents should know to keep their children safe 

Here are the five key terms that will provide parents with baseline information and help them take the first step towards staying informed and protecting their child in this digital age. 

• Content filtering. You can find many types of information on the internet, but not all of it is suitable for children. Parents can use parental controls available on the websites and apps to ensure that children only gain access to age-appropriate content. Additionally, you can make use of content filtering software programmes to do the same. 
• Online predators. The internet grants anonymity, and, as a result, it is also a place where many untoward things happen, such as people disguising themselves to be someone they are not. For example, a 40-year-old can pretend to be a 14-year-old to befriend a child and potentially exploit them. They often gain the trust of the child and request to meet them. Parents must warn their children about such dangers of the online world. 
• Cyberbullying. We are familiar with the term bullying. Cyberbullying is bullying that happens digitally in cyberspace. It mostly happens by sharing or creating content that is mean or causes embarrassment to someone. It is more challenging to deal with, as cyberbullying happens persistently as a result of the constant communication that the internet enables and can be incredibly hard to notice. 
• Dark web: It is the hidden part of the internet. It can only be accessed using a special internet browser. It enhances the level of anonymity granted to internet users. Furthermore, it is used by people with criminal intent for all sorts of dangerous, illegal activities. It is important for parents to explicitly instruct children not to use it for any purpose. 
• Grooming. Grooming is when someone gets a child to trust them and builds a relationship with them online to manipulate and exploit them. Anyone can be a groomer, irrespective of age or gender. They also try to isolate them from their parents, friends and family. They might use blackmail or introduce the concept of ‘secrets’ to them. Parents must tell their children that there can be surprises (soon to be revealed) but no secrets (never to be shared) between them. 

Note that these are just the basics, and there is much more that needs to be done to keep children safe online. In addition to teaching children about online safety, you need to create a safe space for children where they can approach you just in case they feel that they are in trouble–be it online or otherwise. 

Disclaimer: This information is a basic overview; readers should refer to the provided resources for more detailed insights.

References:

• https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/internetsafetyforkids/staying-safe-from-online-predators/1/ 
• https://www.stopbullying.gov/cyberbullying/what-is-it
• https://www.kaspersky.com/resource-center/threats/deep-web 
• https://www.nspcc.org.uk/what-is-child-abuse/types-of-abuse/grooming/