New technology is transforming our world. Computers, the Internet, and mobile phones are now such a part of everyday life that it is hard to imagine what life was like without them.
However, technology is not all positive, and an awareness of the downsides and risks is essential. As a parent you should be aware of the dangers, so you can monitor, support and advise your children. It is impossible and possibly unreasonable to "ban" your son or daughter from accessing these technologies, but it is important that you discuss with them what the dangers are, and help them to understand the risks.
The Internet is a fantastic source of information for all ages. However, there is information on the Internet that is unsuitable for young people, or that is misleading or inaccurate. Some sites are constructed by fraudsters and criminal gangs, that either try to extract personal information ("phishing") or install malicious software on your machine without your knowledge ("trojans" or "keyloggers"). With sites such as YouTube, young people can be exposed to video footage that might not be age appropriate. Users can also leave comments about videos that could contain unsuitable language.
Bear in mind these points:
Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is bullying via digital technologies like mobile phones and computers. This is just as upsetting as physical bullying, and in some ways worse, because the victim can be bullied in their own home, and can never really "get away" from the bully. However, it can be easier to investigate and prove because the evidence usually can be saved, stored or printed.
Key Points: