Children in Nigeria today are growing up with access to computers, tablets, and cellphones. Their everyday lives now include gaming, TikTok, WhatsApp, YouTube videos, and online classes. The internet provides kids with the opportunity to interact and learn, but it also exposes them to threats that many parents are unaware of. There is a serious risk of cyberbullying, online predators, fraudulent accounts, fraud, and addiction. Many parents check what their children eat and who they play with outside, but few control what occurs on their electronic gadgets. However, what happens in cyberspace may have an equally significant influence on a child’s well-being. Protecting children online does not include disapproving their use of technology; rather, it entails leading them toward safe practices.
Here are five simple measures that every parent may do:
Set boundaries
Setting boundaries is just as crucial online as it is offline. Without them, kids may easily play video games late into the night or spend hours scrolling through TikTok. Establish daily screen time limitations and make it clear what may be done on the device, such as studying, playing educational games, or communicating with friends. For instance, phones should be turned off by bedtime, and no electronics are allowed during meals. These guidelines prevent family life from becoming overtaken by internet use and promote discipline. Consider it analogous to curfews or timeouts in the real world. You shouldn’t let your kids explore the internet unsupervised any more than you would let them stroll the streets after sunset.
Monitor usage
Most times because parents don’t want to appear invasive, they frequently hesitate to examine their kids’ electronics. However, part of the protection is supervision. Be aware of the websites they visit, the applications they use, and the people they speak with. If necessary, restrict screen time or block harmful content using parental control tools. Preventing them from falling into traps is the main goal, not invading their privacy.
Teach Online safety
Knowledge cannot be replaced by an app or control tool. Children need to be aware of the potential risks of the internet. Make sure kids understand that not everyone they meet online is who they say they are. Describe to them the signs of cyberbullying, the importance of never disclosing private information such as home address or school, and how to respond to questionable communications. If something on the internet makes them uncomfortable, encourage them to speak with you right away. For example, they must be aware that it is improper if a stranger presents them with gifts or pressures them into sending or taking pictures. Kids are inquisitive but adequate knowledge about what is out there on the internet help boosts their confidence, which reduces their susceptibility to manipulation.
Use strong passwords
The majority of kids are not aware of safe password practices, they often use weak password such as “123456789”, their birthdate, or their nickname. Hackers exploit this knowledge. Help your children come up with secure, one-of-a-kind passwords for every account by sitting down with them. Don’t use family names or birthdays, and mix up letters, numbers, and symbols. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for older children to ensure that their accounts are secure even if a password is stolen or guessed. This little practice might help you avoid significant headaches from hacked accounts or stolen identities.
Be aware of Online predators
These days, predators may be found on social media and in chat rooms in addition to on street corners. They frequently pose as kids to gradually gain the victims’ confidence. Children need to be warned about this risk by their parents. Make sure your kids understand that they should never accept friend requests from strangers, post private images, or consent to meet someone they only know online. A little discussion might be enough to save your children.
Final thoughts
Children will continue to utilize the internet for play and education because it is here to stay. Whether or not parents will take action to safeguard them is the question. You may substantially reduce the dangers by establishing limits, keeping an eye on usage, teaching kids about internet safety, and enforcing secure passwords practices. Helping kids use technology sensibly and securely is more important than frightening them away from it.
This is just the beginning. In Part 2, we will explore more advanced steps from enabling parental controls to setting up safe search engines, discussing only etiquettes and keeping devices in open areas, all to empower them to shape a digital presence that reflects their values and aspirations.
