EVERYDAY the numbers of young people getting to know the Internet is increasing. If one checked on social media, there are hundreds of new faces popping up daily.
Recently, there have been a number of complaints on social media, especially on Facebook where users are saying they are getting friendship requests from suspicious people.
Sometimes Facebook users get notifications that people are accepting friend requests when they did not even request for them in the first place.
As much as there is strong security on social media, there are also people researching ways and means of manipulating these security systems.
This column has always emphasised on the importance of the web which can be a wonderful place for kids to learn new things, play games, get homework help, and connect with their friends.
But as we all know, not everything or everyone on the Internet is looking out for your child’s best interest. By teaching children safe Internet practices now, we can help avoid problems down the line.
According to kidshealth, as kids get older, it gets a little trickier to monitor the time they spend online. When children are younger, we may put their computers or tablets in a common area so that we could keep an eye on their habits.
But when they carry the latest gadgets on the market like smart phones with them at all times, they probably want and need some privacy.
This is a healthy and normal desire, as kids this age are learning to be more independent from their parents.
The Internet can provide a safe “virtual” environment for exploring some newfound freedom if precautions are taken. Here are some ground rules to go over with your children about the Internet especially social media:
• They should be wary of strangers. The same rules apply on the Internet as in the real world. If your children do not talk to strangers in real life, why should they agree to friend them online?
Discuss the dangers of interacting with strangers online and remind your children that people online do not always tell the truth.
• Never reveal private information, such as their address, phone number, school name, even national registration card numbers. The same goes for exchanging photos, especially with strangers.
• Keep passwords private. Explain that passwords are there to protect them against things like identity theft and should never be shared with anyone (even a boyfriend, girlfriend, or best friend).
• Let you know about any new apps, tools, or sites she’s going to. This one might be easier said than done, but if your child is spending a lot of time on a new online environment, it helps to check it out and make sure you do not have a problem with the activity. These can be new online games.
The problem with our local society is that when we see our children playing with these gadgets and doing all sorts of things we can not do ourselves, we think they are clever and good at exploring new things.
While that this might be good to some extent, it is important  to know what these things are and what benefits they bring.
If there are no benefits, why let them continue? For example you know your child has a Facebook page and you are even connected to it but when you see the sort of language they are using with their friends and the pictures they are posting, you decide to turn a blind eye to it.
Please caution them, if you can see it then the whole world is accessing it. The same applies to things like Whatsapp and Instagram. Some of these things sound alien to parent’s eyes but ask your kids, it is the norm of the day.
By doing so, you will probably help them establish good habits that they can use throughout life.
For comments: moseskabaila@gmail.com