Key Takeaways:
- Parents should start supervising their children’s internet use from a young age and set clear rules and boundaries.
- It’s essential to educate children about online risks, such as cyberattacks, identity theft, and exposure to inappropriate content.
- Parents should use parental control tools to restrict access to certain websites and applications, but also have open conversations with their children about online safety.
- Excessive control can be counterproductive and generate mistrust, so it’s crucial to find a balance between supervision and giving children autonomy.
- Children should be taught to identify suspicious situations online, such as messages that ask for personal information or downloads, and to report them to their parents.
Introduction to Parental Control
The number of Google searches on "parental control" has been increasing over the past two decades, reflecting the growing concern of parents about their children’s online safety. The internet has become an essential tool for children to stay in touch with friends, access information, and develop skills. However, it also poses significant risks, such as loss of privacy, cyberattacks, identity theft, and exposure to inappropriate content. To address these concerns, technology experts and parents are seeking ways to ensure children’s online safety while also promoting responsible internet use.
Elena Carrera Murciego’s Approach
Elena Carrera Murciego, a child knowledge and awareness technician at the Spanish National Institute of Cybersecurity (INCIBE), has a strict approach to her children’s internet use. Her children, aged 9 and 12, do not have their own phones, and they use a tablet or computer for schoolwork and entertainment under close supervision. Murciego sets up parental controls to block access to certain websites and applications and has an agreement with her children about screen time. She also teaches them to take precautions online, such as protecting their privacy and being cautious when sharing photos. Murciego emphasizes the importance of parental supervision from a young age and encourages parents to have open conversations with their children about online safety.
Francisco Pérez Bes’s Perspective
Francisco Pérez Bes, deputy chairperson of the Spanish Data Protection Agency (AEPD), shares two stories that highlight the risks of children using technology without proper guidance. He advocates for moderate and conscientious internet use, rather than prohibiting or demonizing it. Pérez Bes encourages his children to share any inappropriate content they find online, so they can analyze it together and discuss the risks. He also sets limits on screen time, establishes a time limit for online play, and advises families to set up social media profiles together to ensure that not everyone can see what they post.
Álvaro Orts Ferrer’s Insights
Álvaro Orts Ferrer, a lawyer specializing in privacy and artificial intelligence, notes that the primary danger for children on the internet has shifted from access to inappropriate content to the proliferation of fake content. He encourages parents to consider the potential risks of artificial intelligence and the internet, and to educate their children about how to identify and mitigate these risks. Orts Ferrer uses the Google Family Link app to control his children’s screen time and restrict access to certain applications. However, he also believes that it’s essential to avoid setting rules or banning things without discussion and to take advantage of day-to-day opportunities to explain possible risks.
Sara Antúnez’s Advice
Sara Antúnez, a criminal lawyer and president of the anti-cyberattack association Stop Haters, emphasizes the importance of exhaustive monitoring when children first start using devices. She advises parents to talk to their children about what they might find online, including uncomfortable topics like pedophilia and pornography. Antúnez also recommends setting limits on screen time, using parental controls, and limiting the use of consoles and television. She offers three fundamental pieces of advice for online security: never give out personal data or passwords, don’t send photos, and don’t talk with adults or young people who are more than three years older.
Marc Rivero’s Recommendations
Marc Rivero, a Kaspersky cybersecurity expert, notes that it’s not necessary to be an expert to take effective steps towards digital protection. He educates his 10-year-old son about online risks and how to protect himself, including not sharing personal information, especially on social media or messaging applications. Rivero also teaches his son to identify suspicious situations online and to report them to him. He advises establishing clear family agreements about device use, involving children in the process, and setting up parental control tools to guarantee their security and digital well-being.
Josep Albors’s Expertise
Josep Albors, head of research and awareness at ESET Spain, has led talks and workshops on internet risks for children and parents. He emphasizes the importance of parents accompanying their children online to teach them what is right and wrong. Albors recommends that parents consult online resources from cybersecurity companies and warns that excessive control can be counterproductive, generating mistrust towards parents. He advises controlling screen time actively or passively, using parental control tools or configuring the home router to disconnect devices during certain hours.
Conclusion
In conclusion, ensuring children’s online safety requires a combination of supervision, education, and open communication. Parents should start supervising their children’s internet use from a young age, set clear rules and boundaries, and educate them about online risks. By using parental control tools, setting limits on screen time, and having open conversations with their children, parents can promote responsible internet use and protect their children from the potential dangers of the online world.
