Keeping Kids Safe Online: Cyber Safety Steps for Parents and Young Users
by Kennedy Taylor
In an increasingly digital world, internet safety has become a progressively important topic for today’s youth. Enforcing cyber best practices could protect your family’s devices, personal data, and, pointedly, lives. It is no secret that youth are often victims of online phishing scams and other forms of online fraud. But did you know that in 2023, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s CyberTipline received over
PRACTICE GOOD CYBER HYGIENE Just like the Ravens must practice strong defense to prevent their opponents from getting touchdowns, kids must practice good cyber hygiene to protect their accounts from unwanted intrusion. They must learn to: Think twice before clicking! Phishing scams heavily target youth via email, text, social media, and even gaming platforms. Look for messages with incorrect grammar, suspicious attachments, and unrecognized sender addresses. If you’re not sure if the message is real, don’t click and certainly don’t reply. Use strong passwords! Strong passwords should be between seven to 12 characters, utilizing a mix of symbols, numbers, and letters. Be sure to avoid using common words or personal information, and do NOT use the same password more than once. Passwords can be saved using a trusted password manager. Check for software updates on your devices! Keeping software updated can save you from a ransomware or malware infection. Turn on Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) or Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)! Going a step or two beyond a strong password makes it much harder to gain access to your account. With the rise of sim swapping, MFA is the preferred method. Avoid Public WiFi! Cybercriminals can “tap into” information on your devices when utilizing a public network. If you cannot avoid it, only connect to secure, password-locked networks and do NOT access sensitive information. Source(s): National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. "CyberTipline 2023 Report", 11/24, https:// www.missingkids.org/cybertiplinedata
186,000 reports of online enticement–a form of exploitation in which an adult communicates with a child with the intent to commit a sexual offense or abduction? 1 This article aims to provide the cyber safety tools your family needs with two major recommendations: developing a “security-first” mindset and practicing good cyber hygiene. DEVELOP A “SECURITY-FIRST” MINDSET To develop a “security-first” mindset, tech users should ask themselves 3 major questions: 1. “What am I sharing?” Too often we click “allow” for location services, “check” Terms of Service boxes, and provide personal information or photos on sites/apps without taking the time to make a conscious decision. Kids and teens must learn to make intentional decisions online, knowing their safety depends on it. Real-Life Example: A child may take a selfie with their house number, school, or frequently visited place visible behind them. Even worse: they may add their location or share it live on Snapchat. Sharing this information is extremely dangerous, as it could get into the wrong hands. 2. “Who am I sharing it with?” Think twice before sharing personal information (date of birth, location, etc.) in a post or direct message. Messages from unknown phone numbers, emails, and even social media handles require additional caution. 3. “How does it make me feel?” Any messages that make a child feel uncomfortable should be brought to a parent. Feelings of fear or pain could be a sign of a major issue, such as a phishing scam, cyberbullying, or even exploitation.
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