What needs to be done to protect children from the dangers of the digital world

Malicious software such as viruses, trojan horses, and worms are the most common online risks. Children often encounter this software on fake gaming sites prepared for them.

Game versions infected with malicious software can often be found on third-party download sites, forums, and sometimes even in the free game section of Google Play.

Parents can prevent their children from accessing dangerous websites and applications with licensed and up-to-date security software.

Profiting off children

• It is possible for a family to suffer financial loss through identity theft, which can occur by collecting small pieces of information. Parents should warn children about not sharing sensitive information. Furthermore, online banking and shopping transactions should be handled by adults.

Phishing attacks

• Cyber attackers may offer attractive deals for the sale of something. In reality, there is nothing to sell, but they are trying to obtain information about you. Similarly, they may send fake messages to request identity and password information from social network users, which is a common example of cyber fraud.

Cyberbullying

• Children are often threatened or humiliated by their peers in the digital space, which causes them emotional trauma. Children should know that they can overcome such situations not by retaliating, but by seeking support from parents and authorities.

Unwanted messages

• Receiving spam emails in your inbox is nothing new; however, ransomware delivered this way is quite popular. Unwanted emails can also find their way to your child's device, who may not know how to deal with such a situation.

WHAT PARENTS MUST DO TO PROTECT THEIR CHILDREN FROM THE DIGITAL WORLD

1) Don't stay out of it, be a part of it: Do not leave your child unattended in the digital world. You should know which social media sites they use. As a parent, add yourself as your child's friend and follower on these sites. This way, you will be able to closely monitor who your children are friends with and what they are sharing on these sites.

2) Inform your children about the importance of privacy on the internet: Many children know social media platforms like Facebook better than their parents. However, they may not know what they should not share. Therefore, warn your children not to share private and personal information such as phone numbers, home addresses, or passwords.

3) Remember and remind them that information shared on the internet does not disappear: Do not assume that you automatically delete all your data when you delete a photo or even close your entire account. Pictures or personal information may have already been saved to someone else's computer. Children and their families should think twice about which pictures and information are put on the internet.

4) Check your internet browser's browsing history from time to time: If the history has been cleared, it is time to have a talk with your child.

5) Do not forget that smartphones are also computers: Keep in mind that the mobile phones you buy for your children or give them to use are not just for playing games. Do not neglect to take the same precautions for smartphones that you take for computers or mobile devices.

6) Use up-to-date security software: Millions of pieces of malicious software circulate in the virtual world every day, trying to reach your information and then your financial resources. It is no longer possible to cope with these without taking professional digital precautions.

7) Use parental control software: Family protection or parental control software can use protection filters that can be set according to age and can block access to inappropriate websites and applications. The ESET Parental Control application offers parents a powerful option in this regard.