Internet savvy is more important today than ever, and kids are starting to go online earlier and earlier in life. From turning in homework assignments to keeping in touch with friends, the web is a vital aspect of life for young people everywhere — however, there are some potentially frightening aspects of the Internet that many moms may not know. While it shouldn't stop you from letting your kids online, awareness about the less-than-pleasant sides of the Internet is important for parents looking to protect their children. Simply by knowing about potentially harmful aspects of the online world, you can communicate effectively with your kids about things they see, how to use the Internet safely, and their own online posting choices. Here are eight things that all mothers should know before their kids begin using the Internet.
Kids Are More Likely to Fall For Online Scams (and Viruses)
"You're our 100th visitor! Click for your free Xbox!" Sound familiar? You might know that this type of advertisement is a trap, but your child may not. Be sure to educate them on viruses, scams, and what not to click before letting them surf on the family computer.
Public Accounts Are VERY Public
When your child chooses to make their Tumblr, Instagram, or Twitter public instead of private, their selfies and statements are available to everyone. If they post a tweet about their teacher being annoying, the school system can look it up. Strangers can check out their #nomakeupselfie. As a general rule, private accounts are better for kids!
Online Sexual Predators Are Still a Thing
While shows like To Catch a Predator warned parents against chat rooms filled with older men on the hunt for vulnerable kids, there are different things to worry about nowadays. From "catfishing" on Facebook [1] to private Instagram messages from older folks, kids can still interact with less-than-savory people online. Talking to them about how to respond in situations like these can be a major help when it comes to predator avoidance!
They Can (and Will) Block or Hide From You on Social Media
If your kids are on social media, they're able to curate their information for certain people. Even if you're their friend on Facebook, they can hide photos, statuses, and other information from you! Encourage honesty and communication in your household so that your kids don't feel the need to hide from you online.
Pro-Eating-Disorder Sites Can Ruin Their Self-Esteem
One of the most disturbing things to be wary of online (especially for girls) are unhealthy image trends. From YouTube accounts formed entirely to ask the world [2] about one's level of physical attractiveness to "pro-ana" blogs (which encourage anorexic and bulimic tendencies to lose weight), this dark side of the Internet can prey on teens who struggle with self-esteem issues. While it's no reason to avoid the web entirely, it's good to discuss unhealthy online trends like the "thigh gap" [3] with your kids.
You Can Buy Alcohol and Illegal Substances Online
Unless your kids are really active and knowledgeable about the Internet, they probably don't know about deep web drug-purchasing services like the Silk Road [4], but it's good for parents to have awareness in order to keep an eye out.
Porn Is Pretty Much Everywhere
Porn is a fact of life that's not going anywhere, but parents should know how prevalent erotic images can be on the Internet. From Reddit to Twitter, it's likely that your kids will stumble across some pretty risqué things during their online sessions. Discussing healthy sexual habits and safety is extremely important when your kids are old enough to encounter porn online.
You Can Accidentally Run Up Credit Card Bills
As convenient as it is to save your credit card information on your favorite sites (Amazon, eBay, Etsy, and the like), it can prove very dangerous when your kids begin to use the computer. Be sure to clear your information after every payment so that your kids aren't able to rack up your credit card bill!