59% of teens hide their online activity: they clear their browsing history, close or minimize their browser when their parents are around, browse in incognito mode, delete chat messages and videos, and even use other devices and lie or omit details about what they are doing online. This is one of the findings of the Life Behind the Screens of Parents, Tweens, and Teens: McAfee's Connected Family Study, which found that in many homes, parents are unaware of what their children do when they connect to the Internet. And while experts are not surprised by this reality and understand that teenagers are secretive about their online activity, they warn of the need to protect them from potential risks such as cyberbullying, online account theft and unauthorized use of personal data.
“The constant news of bullying, phishing and scams, often with dramatic consequences, only alarm society, which wonders what it can do,” admits Albert Jové, a professor at the Faculty of Information Technology, Multimedia and Telecommunications at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC). And although, in his opinion, there are no magic formulas to solve this problem, he recommends adopting attitudes and taking measures that reduce the risks, such as these:
Talk
To protect minors without preventing them from accessing the Internet and social networks, it is appropriate to establish a relationship of trust between teenagers and parents (who should not act as police officers or colleagues). The aim is for the former to perceive the latter as people who help them with the challenges they face and to be certain that, if they make a mistake, they will be supported to solve it.
Training
Having knowledge about Internet safety is another important aspect to protect minors and, therefore, parents must be trained to have greater control over where their child goes and assess risks.
Lead by example
It also helps if parents are consistent and set an example at home, avoiding constantly uploading photos on social networks or knowing how to disconnect from the Internet.
Educating teenagers in critical thinking
Explaining to children that just because something is posted online does not mean it is true helps protect them from potential risks. For this reason, teenagers should be taught to always check sources whenever possible.
Precautions in real life and digital life
It is important to make children understand the reasons for not giving out any personal data to strangers on the Internet. To help them understand and be cautious, it is possible to use the following example: if they would never give their address to a stranger on the street, they should not do so on the Internet either.
Security on devices
Another basic rule is to use security tools on devices, from antivirus to parental control software, password managers, VPNs… On this point, the study Being online: Children and parents on the Internet, prepared by Kaspersky, confirms that 48% of parents currently use parental control tools.
Beware of sensitive information
It is important to pay attention at all times to what minors publish on social networks, as well as to know who their contacts are and the username they use. In addition, it is essential to inform them of the possible consequences of uploading certain “sensitive” content or photos to the Internet, making them understand that this material may never disappear from the Internet.
Warning against threats
It is also essential for adults to explain to teenagers how they should act when faced with possible threats. In these situations, the recommendation is to avoid responding to threatening, harassing or uncomfortable messages, and to make it clear to them that they must report these events in order to be able to provide support.