In part 1, we discussed some facts about tech and also your kids. Part 1 can be found here.
I recently sat through a video presentation given by RSA Security from one of their yearly conferences. In it, Lance Spitzner, of SANS, mentioned that the top 3 threats for kids online are Strangers, Friends and Themselves. I could not fault this logic.
Strangers are a norm online. even when you chat with that person everyday, they are still strangers. Anyone can be anyone online. A heavy-set man of 45 may write and say he is 15 with Justin Bieber-ish good looks and a shy personality. As pictures can be ‘stolen’ easily enough from other sites, it is very hard for an immature kid to know the difference. They could entice and encourage your kids into doing something totally bad, something they will never have thought of on their own, and use it to blackmail them in doing something really horrible. Aside from indecent exposures, scams are also targeted to kids from strangers. Either through gaming, in-app purchases, freebies, etc. There are wolves in cyberspace, take extra care.
Friends are also a threat. Friends are at times the instigators of bad behaviours online. A shy kid IRL (in real life), may be a cyberbully online. Your kids may be part of the ‘popular’ girls or boys who are cyber bullying another kid. Kids are always trying to out-do each other, and this is definitely bad when they are trying to be adults and do adult things. Get to know your kids friends both online and IRL.
The kids themselves can be the biggest threat to themselves. They may not have the maturity of thinking, have no knowledge or understanding about safety issues that may get them into trouble. They may share private things on social media which of course is hardly a private place. They may be seeking attention or trying to emulate their favorite celebrities who are not always the best examples of decency and good behaviour. Knowledge is key. Talk to your kids about security.
Here is an interesting video you should watch together with your kids.
[su_youtube url=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgCNGvL0g1g”]
