10-12 year olds
- Students may already know how to use the Internet for a variety of purposes. Parents can support their child by finding out which sites can help with homework, contain information about hobbies or other hobbies of the child. The Internet can also be used to plan for issues affecting the whole family. This gives parents and children an opportunity to discuss the reliability of different sites, as well as sources for finding useful and quality information.
- The child needs parental supervision and control, as well as knowledge of the rules of proper web surfing. However, the child can learn how to get rid of supervision and bypass the rules if he or she finds them too restrictive or inappropriate for his or her needs.
- Parents and children need to come to an agreement about permitted and prohibited activities on the Internet, as well as its use. The agreement should address all needs and opinions. Examples: sender responsibility, downloading files, and copyright and software installation.
- Agree on what personal information can be disclosed and when, and talk about the risks of disclosure.
- If a child is already interested in chat rooms or IRC, parents should discuss with children their safety and monitor their experience in interactive discussions.
- Many children are curious and inquisitive, so parents need to emphasize the need for safe and careful use.
- The information security system also needs to be updated
Children 13-15 years old.
- At this age, the Internet is becoming a part of children’s social life: on the Internet they meet and spend time, looking for information related to their studies or hobbies. With a higher level of literacy, there are many opportunities to use the Internet. It can be very difficult for parents to know what their child is doing online. At this age, children are also prone to taking risks and pushing limits. Technical restrictions and bans can be an ineffective way to increase online safety.
- Children 13 to 15 years old may want to keep their activities private, especially if parents have not previously inquired or learned about the ways in which their child uses the Internet. It becomes important for families to participate in open discussions and for parents to take an interest in what the child is doing and with whom he or she is using the Internet.
There is still a need to follow established internal rules.
- A teenager may still be inadequate in assessing phenomena, so he needs the help of an adult in case, for example, he wants to post his photos or personal information on a website.
- Ethical issues and the personal responsibility of the teenager as an Internet user are important topics for discussion. For example, illegal downloading, online etiquette, and copyright. Children should also be responsible about posting online, including posting their own personal information and information that may be illegal.
- Parents should take an interest in children’s online interlocutors, as they do with all other friends. Parents are encouraged to get involved in situations where the child wants to meet new people online.
- Parents should not overreact, even if it turns out that something “terrible” happened while the child was online. They can still guide the child to deal only with relevant material. For example, there are good interactive services that deal with sexuality and health issues for young audiences. Young people need to be aware that they can talk to their parents at any time if they are uncomfortable with what they have encountered online.