Online Content

What? Is My Child Doing That Online?

If your child broke any rule in the past, you probably would be able to find out about it and administer the appropriate punishment. Today, the Internet provides a platform where your child can break the rules – but this time maybe without you knowing. Sometimes, broken rules may even constitute the breaking of laws.

Here are 5 online activities your child can do, that every parent should take note of.

1. Illegal Downloading, Uploading and Sharing

With a simple URL, your child will be able to get music and videos with quality as high as the original copy without paying. Your child can also easily upload and share content with others. These are acts infringing on the copyrights owned by the content producers, and your child could get into legal trouble if pursued.

2. Underage Use of Social Media

Popular social networking sites like Facebook have a minimum age restriction of 13 years old to register for an account. However, many young kids create accounts by lying about their birth dates when registering and sometimes, it may be the parents who do it for them.

3. Defaming Someone Else

To your child, social networking sites are virtual spaces for them to express almost anything and everything, and this may include posting remarks or comment to attack and defame others. It is important to remind your child that anyone on the Internet will be able to see their posts if privacy settings are not duly adjusted. Even a simple statement could result in a defamation lawsuit with the victims.

4. Making Online Purchases without Permission

If your child is using a smartphone, there is probably an array of applications he/she wants to download. Usually, paid downloads will require credit card details, but what if your child already has access because you did not log out of your credit account? It is important to get password safe or auto-logout credit accounts especially when using your child’s device, to prevent downloads without parental permission. It is good to be safe now rather than see it in your credit card statements

5. Accessing Inappropriate Online Content

The internet has almost every piece of information easily accessible, and that can include inappropriate online content such as pornography and media violence. Your child may intentionally, or even accidentally access these materials without your knowledge. This may lead to your child becoming potential cybercrime victims if these sites have programmed malware or virus.

 

There are many things that your child can do online and yet so little parents can do to supervise. It is key that you monitor your child’s online activities and ensure that they are open to sharing what they are doing online, as much as offline.