Children have become one of the top consumers of the internet today, be it for learning, entertainment, or socialization, especially during COVID-19 pandemic. However, with their parents juggling work and home responsibilities, they are left unsupervised with their internet activities, making them vulnerable online.
Protective measures must be in place to keep children safe from inappropriate online content and make the internet a safer place for them. There are several ways parents can configure the setting of their devices to ensure that their children are safe from inappropriate and suspicious content online.
Many social media platforms can filter sensitive content. Read the community guidelines and FAQs of these platforms and maximize them for your child’s protection. An additional option would be using third-party security software that can enable specific setting such as blocking of specific words, images, and other multimedia content that may lure their children.
Parents can also try asking their ISPs if they offer filtering services. Filtering services help block access to internet sites that have illegal or inappropriate content. Some ISPs have been oriented on child-friendly business practices and are doing measures to ensure children’s safety online.
One of the easiest ways of protecting children from malicious online content is by simply setting strong passwords on devices. Parents can password-protect their accounts, smartphones, wifi routers, and computers so that children would have to ask for their assistance when accessing the internet.
In order to protect children from being preyed on by predators, cyberbullies, or scammers, keep webcams covered when not in use. Help your child learn to keep personal information private, especially from strangers.
The most important requirement for a parent is to maintain open communication. This way, not only would they be able to spend time with them online and offline, they would help support their children mediate any concerns while navigating the digital environment
UNICEF Philippines leads the SaferKidsPH program, supported by the Australian Government, to reduce the online sexual abuse and exploitation of children in the Philippines.
It is is a six-year (2019-2025) initiative that aims to create a safer environment for children. It calls on the government, NGOs, communities, parents, caregivers and young people to play an active role in adopting positive behaviour towards protection of children from online abuse and exploitation, strengthening investigation, prosecution and adjudication of OSAEC cases consistent with national legislation, and improving service delivery for prevention and protection of children against online sexual abuse and exploitation in OSAEC hotspots.
Together, these efforts can ensure the safety of children and youth in online spaces. The internet should be a safe space for everyone. Governments and organizations must ensure that families are well-equipped to protect their children and create a safer world offline and online.
