Importance of Online Safety for Students

The technological revolution has completely changed the way we learn, communicate, and absorb information.

Accessing technology easily anywhere, anytime poses a problem for online safety for students, and how to be safe online has begun to receive widespread attention.

This article will go into providing helpful information about the potential risks of the Internet to protect our students and tips to help students use the Internet safely and responsibly.

The Risks of the Internet for Students

Here is a look at the different kinds of Risks faced when using the Internet:

Cyberbullying

Cyberbullying refers to the use of digital technologies, such as the Internet or mobile devices, to harass, intimidate, or humiliate someone.

It can take many forms, including sending threatening or abusive messages, sharing embarrassing photos or videos, spreading rumors or gossip, and creating fake social media profiles to impersonate or harass someone.

The effects of cyberbullying can be devastating, both emotionally and physically. Victims of cyberbullying may experience anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and other mental health problems. In extreme cases, cyberbullying can even lead to suicide.

Online Predators

Online predators are individuals who use the internet to groom and exploit students for sexual or other harmful purposes. They may use social media, chat rooms, online gaming platforms, and other online forums to contact and manipulate their targets.

These individuals can be of any age, gender, or occupation, and may present themselves in a variety of ways to appear trustworthy and approachable to students.

Identity theft

Identity theft is unauthorized break-ins by hackers who will steal personal information such as their name, social security number, confidential data, and credit card details… for illegal purposes.

Exposure to inappropriate content

Inappropriate content can include violent or graphic images, pornography, hate speech, and other material that is not suitable for minors.

The risks and consequences of exposure to inappropriate content can include causing emotional distress, particularly for young people/students who may not have emotional maturity.

Tips for Keeping Students Safe Online

To protect your students safe online, you may follow the following suggestions:

• Setting up parental controls: Install parental controls and internet filters on devices used by students to prevent them from accessing inappropriate content. This is a thin line though. Since students are almost adults, they would want some privacy. So make sure you don’t cross the line when setting up parental controls.
• Teaching students to protect their personal information: Educate your students to be cautious in sharing sensitive information such as ID numbers, credit card details, other relatives’ information, and passwords online.
• Creating strong passwords and managing them effectively: Use unique and strong passwords for online accounts and avoid using the same password across multiple accounts.
• Installing and updating antivirus software and firewalls: Install and regularly update anti-virus software, firewalls, and other security measures on computers and devices.
• Using privacy settings on social media platforms: For any information or pictures that your students do not want to share publicly, tell them to use privacy settings on social media platforms so that the view status turns to “only me” or “only friends”.

Digital Citizenship

According to the Council of Europe, digital citizenship can be defined as:

The competent and positive engagement with digital technologies (creating, working, sharing, socializing, investigating, playing, communicating and learning); participating actively and responsibly (values, skills, attitudes, knowledge) in communities (local, national, global) at all levels (political, economic, social, cultural and intercultural); being involved in a double process of lifelong learning (in formal, informal and non-formal settings) and continuously defending human dignity.

Council of Europe 2022

Educating Digital citizenship for students is important because technology is an integral part of our lives, and it is essential to understand how to use it safely and responsibly.

Parents can model responsible digital behavior and monitor their student’s online activity to enhance digital citizenship.

By promoting digital citizenship skills, we can help to create a safer and more inclusive digital environment that promotes positive interactions.

What to Do if Something Goes Wrong

Steps to take if your child is cyberbullied

• If your child is being bullied, parents should listen and support him/her as soon as possible.
• It is helpful to collect evidence of cyberbullying, such as screenshots of the posts or messages, and keep a record of the date and time that each incident occurred. Social media companies have policies to keep their users safe.
• If your child is in immediate danger, then you should contact the police or emergency services in your country.

What to do if your child is targeted by an online predator

It is important to remember that online predators are skilled at manipulating and grooming children, tell your children not to feel embarrassed or ashamed about what has happened. Creating a safe and supportive environment where your child feels comfortable sharing what has happened is crucial.

If your child is experiencing distress or trauma because of the incident, seek support from a mental health professional.

How to report inappropriate content and activity online:

• Take screenshots or save evidence
• Determine the appropriate reporting channel found in the help center or support pages, then follow the reporting process.
• If necessary, consider reporting the content or activity to law enforcement or other relevant authorities.

Conclusion

We cannot deny that teaching students about dangers and how to be safe online is crucial nowadays. By teaching students fundamental internet safety practices, parents prepare young people to be successful and responsible digital citizens in the constantly changing world.

“Be open and honest” is key to educating students about everything they need to know and helping students stay safe online.

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