By Pepper Parr
March 12th, 2023
BURLINGTON, ON
This is the first in an ongoing series about how parents can teach their very young children about the Internet, what it can do for them and the perils that lurk in many of the messages that the child will receive. You will quickly learn that the child may know a lot more than you do technically. The parent role is to focus on values and keep your children safe.
Children will pick up online habits from their parents
When was the last time your family had “The Tech Talk”?
Like any other aspect of parenting, providing kids with safer and more joyful experiences online is often more complicated than it seems, but you’re not alone. The more frequently families talk about online safety and the role of the internet in their lives the easier it becomes. Your first Tech Talk will likely be far from perfect, but it won’t be your last and learning together with help from trusted sources can go a long way.
Be prepared to learn that your child will know more about the technical side of being on line. They will not know how to spot the danger signs.
Data tracking and the role that big tech companies play online:
Data tracking is most concerning for parents in the U.S. and least for parents in the U.K. When it comes to big tech companies, a larger number of parents in the U.K. don’t believe tech companies have their children’s best interests in mind when compared to the U.S. and other countries surveyed. In fact, research has found that by the time a kid is 13, more than 72 million pieces of personal data has been captured about them. The sites and apps your family visits on the web are very telling to the companies and third-parties that are harvesting data.
They can infer where you live, the hobbies you have, and even the products you buy.
Part 2: Coming:
Finding the equivalent of helmets for kids who go online
