ONLINE EDUCATION AND INTERNET SAFETY
Although we are all grateful for the option to switch to online education in these trying times, the facility has several challenges of its own. Technology has surely made our life easier but it has also modernized certain criminal techniques. For example, the anonymity provided by the internet makes cyber harassment and bullying much easier for evil-minded people.
Unfortunately, even children are not spared of this traumatizing experience. In fact, children are easy prey for vultures on the internet. As we gradually become accustomed to virtual education, children need to be taught some important online safety rules as well. Being careful online is the new equivalent of ‘don’t talk to strangers’ in real life.
Cyberbullying and harassment can take many shapes and forms. It can be in the form of data theft and misuse, inappropriate messages, phishing scams, etc. Children are too naïve to understand the real intentions of an online ‘friend’ being too friendly.
Moreover, kids are incapable of assessing which personal information is to be shared online. They often end up sharing too many details like home address and phone number. Needless to say, this becomes a big security threat for the entire family.
Until and unless children reach the age of maturity, constant vigilance of their online activities is the only way to avoid any untoward incident. If being around them isn’t possible at all times, parents should install safety software and guide the children about such threats. With the over-reliance on the internet for all our needs lately, this has become the need of the hour.
