While we are fortunate to live in a time where a global pandemic means minimal interruption to education, Safer Internet Day is an opportunity to reflect on what we can do to create a better online world for young people.
Keeping young people safe online during the hyperconnected world of a pandemic: What can parents do?
Our work at Facebook and Instagram As a mum, I know that young people are more vulnerable online than others and my job at Facebook is to help keep them safe through our products and policies. Beyond the privacy, safety and security features that are available to all Facebook and Instagram users, we also have a number of additional protections in place to protect minors. We require everyone to be at least 13 years old before they can create an account on Facebook or Instagram, and in some countries the age limit may be higher. Our privacy and visibility settings are more restrictive for teens than adults. For example, on Facebook, messages sent to minors from adults who are not friends, or friends of friends, are filtered out of the minor’s inbox and sent straight to the spam folder. Navigating online safety as a parent I know it can feel overwhelming trying to navigate the ever-changing world of online safety with kids. But the most important thing we can do is to start a dialogue, and keep open channels of communication. Online safety conversations should become part of everyday life – just like conversations about ‘stranger danger’ or crossing the road, and they should start early. Children are often exposed to devices from birth – even just observing their parents, so it’s never too soon to talk about online safety. As part of conversations about online safety, children should understand that access to devices and the internet comes with responsibility. They also have a role to play in keeping themselves and others safe online. The Facebook Parent Portal and Instagram Parent’s Guide are great resources for parents and caregivers and include details on how the apps work, tips on talking to your kids and advice from experts, but below are my five top tips for keeping your kids safe online. At Facebook, we remain committed to continuing our investment in online safety, evolving our products and policies, and working with young people, parents and caregivers, teachers and educators, policymakers, and industry peers to help make the internet a safer place for children. Check out? A Photo by UN-Women Against Dowry is Breaking the Internet and Richest People in Pakistan
