Protecting your child’s online activity is crucial for their safety and well-being. Children are especially vulnerable to online risks because they may not have the maturity or experience to recognize and avoid danger. By taking steps to protect your child’s online activity, you can help them stay safe from harm and make the most of their online experiences.

There are a number of reasons why protecting your child’s online activity is important. First, it can help prevent your child from being victimized by online predators. Online predators are individuals who use the internet to target children for sexual abuse. They may pose as children or teenagers in order to gain a child’s trust.

Second, protecting your child’s online activity can help prevent them from being cyberbullied. Cyberbullying is the use of electronic communication to bully a person, typically by sending messages of an intimidating or threatening nature. Cyberbullying can have a devastating impact on a child’s self-esteem and emotional well-being.  

Third, protecting your child’s online activity can help prevent them from being exposed to inappropriate content. The internet is full of content that is not appropriate for children, such as pornography, violence, and hate speech. Exposure to this type of content can be harmful to children’s development.

Finally, protecting your child’s online activity can help protect their privacy. Children may share personal information online without realizing the risks. This information could be used by identity thieves or other criminals.

The Center for Internet Security (CIS) announced the release of “From Both Sides: A Parent’s Guide to Protecting Your Child’s Online Activity.” This comprehensive guide is designed to help parents and guardians understand the risks associated with children’s online activities and provide them with the tools they need to keep their children safe.

The CIS guide explores real-life scenarios that illustrate the common online pitfalls children may encounter. Each scenario is dissected to uncover the ways in which these situations arise, their potential impact, and methods to prevent and manage them.

Cover image: CIS