In today's world, children spend increasingly more time online, facing various threats. It's important to understand how to protect a child from cyber dangers and ensure safe presence in the digital space.
G. Ostrov
Main Internet Threats for Children
Modern children are active internet users, but often don't realize all the risks that await them online. Main threats include cyberbullying, where malicious actors use internet anonymity to harass and humiliate children through social media and messaging platforms.
Equally dangerous are contacts with strangers who may pretend to be peers and attempt to obtain personal information or arrange meetings. Scammers actively exploit children's trust, offering free games, prizes, or gifts in exchange for personal data.
Inappropriate content poses a particular danger: from adult materials to extremist propaganda and violent scenes that can traumatize children's psyche and distort their perception of reality.
Impact of Prolonged Computer Use
Excessive computer use negatively affects children's physical and mental health. Prolonged sitting in front of a monitor leads to vision deterioration, development of myopia, and dry eye syndrome. Poor posture while working at a computer can cause spinal curvature and back pain.
Psychological consequences include decreased attention concentration, sleep disorders due to blue light exposure from screens, and development of computer addiction. Children may lose interest in real communication, physical activity, and studying, preferring the virtual world.
Parental Control Features in Windows 11
Windows 11 provides powerful tools for protecting children in the digital environment. The "Microsoft Family Safety" feature allows parents to create children's accounts with limited access rights.
Through screen time settings, you can establish daily computer usage limits, define allowed working hours, and automatically block access during inappropriate times. The system also allows limiting the usage time of specific applications and games.
The content filtering function automatically blocks access to sites with inappropriate content, including adult materials, violent websites, and other potentially harmful content. Parents can adjust the filtering level according to the child's age.
Additionally, activity monitoring is available, providing reports on which sites the child visited, how much time they spent on the computer, and which applications they used. This allows parents to stay informed about their children's digital activity.
Protection Against Fraud and Deception
Teaching children the basics of cybersecurity is a key element of protection. It's important to explain to children that they should not disclose personal information: full name, address, phone number, parents' bank card details, or account passwords.
It's necessary to teach children to be critical of internet offers. If something seems too good to be true, it's probably a scam. Free games, prizes, and gifts are often bait for obtaining personal data.
It's important to establish a rule: always consult with parents before downloading files, registering on new sites, or communicating with strangers on the internet. Open communication between parents and children helps identify potential threats in a timely manner.
Practical Recommendations for Parents
Create a safe digital environment using Windows 11's built-in tools and additional antivirus software. Regularly update the operating system and programs to close security vulnerabilities.
Place the computer in a common area of the home where you can monitor the child's activity. This naturally limits access to inappropriate content and promotes more conscious internet use.
Teach children digital literacy and ethics. Explain the importance of respectful communication online, the consequences of cyberbullying, and responsibility for their actions on the internet.
For additional information about cybersecurity, visit Microsoft's official website: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/safety
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