What Is Internet Safety for Kids?
Internet use among kids is pervasive — nearly all U.S. teens (96%) say they use the internet every day. It also begins early. The majority of parents with younger kids (89% with kids ages 5 to 11, 81% with kids ages 3 to 4 and 57% with kids 2 and younger) report that their children watch YouTube videos.
Despite its popularity — and its many benefits — the internet can be a dangerous place for child users. Some online risks include exposure to:
- inappropriate content;
- cyberbullying;
- identity theft and privacy breeches;
- exploitation and abuse;
- scams; and
- misinformation.
The field of internet safety is dedicated to keeping users and their online interactions safe and secure. Protecting child users from harm or misuse is a team effort — one that involves parents, educators, content developers, service providers and the children themselves working together.
Successfully supporting internet safety for kids involves teaching young users and the adults in their lives about the potential risks of technology use. It also involves understanding what safe and responsible internet use looks like and how to identify and avoid unsafe decisions and behaviors online.
Why Is Internet Safety Important for Kids?
Internet safety is important for kids because children present unique challenges due to “their natural characteristics: innocence, curiosity, desire for independence, and fear of punishment,” according to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.
Childhood and adolescence is also a time of great social, behavioral and emotional growth. Exploring the online world can be educational, entertaining and a very interactive endeavor. At the same time, the internet anonymizes communication in many ways, making it easier for cyberbullying, predatory behavior and misinformation to thrive.
Adults have a profound and ongoing role to play in making the internet a safer, healthier and more positive experience for the children in their lives. Actively monitoring a young person’s online activities is a great start. But parents and caregivers can do more, like:
- setting clear rules for technology use;
- enacting age-appropriate content filters and controls; and
- continuously educating young users about both the benefits and the dangers of being online.