Raising Safe Digital Citizens: CyberWise Parents

A 2024 Pew Research study reveals that 73% of teens use YouTube daily, with 15% reporting almost constant engagement. Furthermore, over 90% of teens own a smartphone, making them more connected than ever before. While this connectivity offers countless benefits, it also opens the door to risks that can impact your child’s well-being. Risks like exposure to harmful content, risky interactions with strangers, or falling for online scams are just a few dangers that many parents may not even realize their children face.

To help parents navigate these challenges, the EU Kids Online and CO:RE Projects developed the “4 C’s Framework” for online safety, which highlights four key areas:

4 C’s Framework

Children can inadvertently encounter harmful material online, such as hate speech, explicit imagery, or violent content. According to Statistics Canada (2022), 71% of young Canadians reported seeing online hate content in the last year. Using tools like Google SafeSearch and content filters on devices can help shield your child from inappropriate material.

Social platforms often connect children with strangers, increasing the risk of exploitation or abuse. The United Nations reports that 80% of children in 25 countries feel in danger of online sexual abuse or exploitation, highlighting the need for parental supervision and open conversations about safe online interactions.

Children are not just victims of negative behaviors like cyberbullying—they can sometimes be participants. Globally, 1 in 3 people experience cyberbullying, and 1 in 5 students skip school because of it, according to the United Nations. Encouraging empathy and responsible online behavior can help mitigate these risks while fostering kindness in digital spaces.

From phishing scams to hidden in-app purchases, children may unknowingly engage in risky online transactions. According to a 2021 report by Javelin Strategy & Research, fraud losses linked to child identity fraud totaled $918 million, averaging $737 per family. Families affected by child identity fraud also spent an additional $372 on average to resolve the issue, underscoring the significant financial burden. Teaching kids to recognize scams and encouraging them to verify online offers is essential to protect them from falling victim to fraudulent schemes.

4 C's Framework of Cybersafety risks

Recently, platforms like Nintendo Switch, Instagram, Fortniteet Roblox have implemented and/or improved their parental controls to help manage these risks. These tools empower you to have greater control over your child’s online experiences, offering time limits, content filters, and activity monitoring features. KnowledgeFlow’s resource, Maîtriser le contrôle parental : Votre manuel essentiel de sécurité numérique provides practical guidance on how to effectively use these features across multiple platforms. However, it’s important to note that parental controls can be bypassed in many ways, making ongoing dialogue and education key to ensuring their safety online.

Teaching Kids About Online Safety

Educating your child about cybersafety helps them develop important life skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and digital literacy. These skills not only protect your child from online risks but also give them the knowledge and confidence to make responsible decisions when exploring the digital world. The goal is not to completely isolate them from the digital world, but to help them understand the potential dangers and how to stay safe.

Navigating Cybersafety with Teens

As children transition into their teen years, they become more independent. Talking to them about online safety should involve acknowledging their awareness of the risks they face. For example, discuss the consequences of risky online behavior and how it could affect their reputation, relationships, or future opportunities.

Connect device security to real-life consequences. Explain how features like strong passwords and two-factor authentication work to protect their accounts from hackers, and emphasize how taking these precautions is a sign of responsibility. Encourage them to back up their devices regularly and even invite them to be part of the process. This gives them a sense of ownership and control over their digital safety.

It’s essential to balance your guidance with their autonomy. Give them the freedom to make informed decisions while ensuring they understand the importance of using the security tools available to them. Encourage them to verify information before trusting or sharing anything online, reinforcing the idea of responsible digital citizenship.

Ongoing Conversations for Long-Term Safety

Cybersafety isn’t a one-time talk; it’s an ongoing dialogue. As your child grows and technology continues to evolve, it’s important to have regular check-ins about their online experiences. Encourage them to share any concerns or troubling encounters they’ve had online. These ongoing conversations foster trust and equip your child with the tools they need to navigate digital challenges.

Our free online course for parents delves deeper into these risks and provides strategies for initiating meaningful conversations with your children about navigating the online world safely.

CyberWise Parents Course

Les CyberWise Parents course is a free, comprehensive resource designed to help parents navigate the challenges of digital parenting. Through this course, you’ll learn how to protect your child from online risks such as cyberbullying, inappropriate content, and online predators. You’ll also gain practical skills in using parental control tools, fostering open conversations about cybersafety, and balancing your child’s digital life.

asian parents guiding daughter in using a tablet

CyberWise Initiative

As part of the CyberWise Initiative, this course equips you with the tools and knowledge to confidently guide your child’s online experiences, ensuring they stay safe while thriving in the digital world.

Conclusion

The digital world is an essential part of life today, but it’s crucial to ensure that your child is equipped to navigate it safely. By understanding the risks and being actively involved in conversations about cybersafety, you can protect your child while helping them develop the skills they need to thrive online.

Continuous education, open communication, and the use of available tools are the keys to successful digital parenting. By fostering a safe, balanced online environment, you can help your child confidently explore the digital world, knowing how to stay safe and make informed decisions.

Visit Our Parent Page

For more in-depth resources and tools to support your digital parenting journey, check out our Parent Page. It’s packed with expert advice, tips, and conversation starters to help you guide your child safely online.

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