9 Essential Cybersecurity Lessons for Your Kids | Total Security

The internet has changed the way children perceive and interact with the world. According to the Pew Research Center, 95% of teenagers in the US own a smartphone and a whopping 45% of them say they are online "almost continuously".

This constant connection is by and large a fantastic thing. The young internet generation of so-called “digital natives” has unlimited access to information, entertainment and creative tools that enable them to interact with the world that would not have been possible a generation ago.

But as almost everywhere in life, we must not look at these new possibilities through rose-colored glasses alone. Constant networking also harbors considerable security risks. These may look completely different from those that children were exposed to 20 or 30 years ago, but that doesn't make them any safer. Regardless of whether it is cyberbullying, malware, or other online threats - nowadays parents have to teach their children how to behave safely online and how to protect them from the dangers lurking there.

We've compiled nine essential cybersecurity lessons every family should teach their children:

1. What Is Online Once, Stays Online.

In the endless sea of ​​memes, selfies, cat pictures, and blog posts, the hope quickly creeps in that any content posted online will sooner or later be drowned in the flood. Unfortunately, that is not the case.

Help your children understand that everything on the internet lasts. Any content posted or shared can be transcribed, quoted, or copied as a screenshot. They can also be edited, taken out of context, and uploaded to countless other websites. As soon as you put something online, you have to be aware that it will be permanently available there, which in turn could have far-reaching consequences for you - be it for your professional career or your private relationships.

So encourage your children to think about what content they put online and what effect it could have on themselves and other Internet users now and in the future.

2. Be Open About Your Internet Usage.

It's no secret that a lot of content on the Internet is unsuitable for children. Parental control options can be helpful to some extent but restricting access to multiple devices can be complicated, and by their teens by the time most young people are tech-savvy enough to work around them. Therefore, open communication is equally important.

So instead of wanting to dictate the use of the Internet with iron rules, you should rather offer an honest and open dialogue. Encourage your children to be open about their online activities and show them that they can always reach out to you if they have any questions or problems. It is best to start doing this as early as possible so that you can establish some basic rules together and involve your children in these decisions.

By working with your children and increasingly trusting them that they are making the right decisions, you are ultimately also teaching them to take responsibility for their online safety.

3. Passwords Must Be Kept Secret.

Many children learn from an early age that it is good to share with others. That's how it should be. Still, there are a few things that you need to keep to yourself. This includes your passwords, for example.

A good password is essential to keep all accounts secure and prevent cybercriminals from accessing personal information.

There are a few basic rules for creating a strong password:

·         The longer the better: We recommend a length of at least 16 characters.
·         Best to be unique: Never use the same password for multiple accounts.
·         As coincidental as possible: Common idioms or personal references, such as birthdays or anniversaries, names and the like should be avoided.
·         Don't save passwords in text files: The system could be hacked and the attackers would have access to all of your passwords at once. Instead, we recommend using a trusted password manager like KeePass.

For more detailed information, see this blog article on creating and storing strong passwords.

4. Social Networks Should Be Treated with Caution.

Teach your children that just because they can post something on social media doesn't mean they should (see point 1). For example, your children should never share or post:

·         password
·         place
·         Phone number
·         Other personal information
·         Content that could be considered offensive

You also need to be extremely careful when receiving friend requests or communications from strangers. Take your time and take a look at the privacy settings of your various accounts and apps. The default settings could reveal much more information than you or your children would like.

But don't just pay attention to what content they're sharing. You and your children also need to be aware of what content they consume and how much time they spend on social networks. Several studies have found that there is a link between social network use and low self-esteem, impaired body awareness decreased sleep quality and other depressive symptoms.

5. Tell Them What to Do About Cyberbullying.

Nowadays, the scope of bullying extends far beyond the schoolyard. With the popularity of social networks, cyberbullying (using technology to threaten, harass, or embarrass another person) has become widespread among children and teenagers. According to government reports, 15 percent of high school students in the United States were victims of cyberbullying last year.

Sit down with your children and think about the best way to deal with cyberbullying. The respective strategy is of course different from case to case. For example, your children could turn off their device and talk to you, a teacher, or someone they trust about it. You could also report and block the cyberbully (i.e. the person bullying) via the social network app.

At the same time, warn your children that under no circumstances should they respond to the cyberbully, however tempting it may be. Responses or even reprisals usually only make the situation worse.

6. You Need to Ask for Permission Before Installing New Apps.

The internet is inundated with games, learning apps, and creative tools that are extremely interesting and enticing to young minds. You should therefore remind your children that you must first agree with them before they tap or click “Install” on a new app or software.

There is a very simple reason for this: Many malware is designed to look like regular applications. If these are executed, the malware can have devastating effects - from data loss to financial fraud to identity theft. Some malware can also copy itself and transfer it to other devices on your home network.

It is important to note that mobile devices are not immune to malware either. For example, Google has published that the number of malware installed via Google Play doubled in 2018 alone.

Should your children accidentally install malware on their device, you need to be sure that your system is protected. Proven antivirus software like Protegent360's Total Security can then be crucial in protecting your family's devices from all types of malware.

7. Think First, Then Click.

Encourage your children to always be careful online, including reminding them that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Explain to your children how phishing works and why they should think twice before clicking any link. For example, show them how to simply hover over a link to check the URL. Teach them how to spot typical signs of phishing scams. Also, encourage them to be suspicious of reading emails and opening attachments, even if the message is from a seemingly trustworthy sender.

There are many online attacks that target children and which in turn can lead to malware infections or even identity theft. In 2018, for example, malware programmers took advantage of the popularity of the game "Fortnite" to disguise their malware as a so-called almost - a cheat tool that allows players to aim perfectly in first-person shooters. Similarly, in the same year, 50,000 Minecraft accounts fell victim to malware via infected Minecraft skins.

To educate your children about the dangers of downloading hacked games, software piracy, and fraudulent sweepstakes.

8. Be a Respectful Internet Citizen.

Teach your children that the Internet is ultimately only a virtual extension of real society and that the usual forms and rules of communication must also be observed here. So you always have to be polite and respectful and not verbally abuse other people or threaten them with physical violence.

Help them understand that despite the screen in front of them, they are still communicating with a real person with real feelings. Always remember the golden rule of netiquette: if you wouldn't say it to someone's face, don't say (or write) it online either.

9. Balance Is Important.

Lastly, you should also remind your children that they need compensation. While technology plays a vital role in our lives today, other hobbies and interests are just as important. This is the only way your children can develop into healthy and versatile personalities.