Ana Claudia Favano

Virtual Risks and Internet Safety.

Virtual Risks and Internet Safety

If you parents have decided to give your children a cell phone, you should set the usage rules together with them before they start using the device. It may seem simple, but they will actually have in their hands something very powerful that can lead to devastating and irreversible consequences.
Introducing the digital world to them will require a great deal of dedication and guidance from you, with shared navigation for a while until you are confident that your children understand and are capable of navigating with at least a minimum level of responsibility.

An image posted online is an image that will remain forever. Make sure they don’t send images of themselves to anyone or share anything about their private lives. Posts with addresses, emails, phone numbers, places they frequent and even car license plates can reveal where they live.
The virtual world is obscure and we never really know who is on the other side of the screen, and your children need to be aware of that and not believe in supposed online friends.

A good idea is to agree with them that they should only share what you parents would definitely approve of or be allowed to see or read, and to ask themselves the following question before hitting "enter": Would my parents approve? This will certainly change many of the impulsive posts they might make.

Images shared on the internet will forever be out of your control. Inappropriate posts will spread worldwide in seconds and you will also be held accountable for your children's actions.
Sharing images of others has also become commonplace in the virtual world, and I urge you to discuss this widely with your children because publishing someone else's image without permission is a serious matter, especially in cases of inappropriate jokes or teasing.

Keep in mind that behind every cell phone or tablet there is a 5G chip that was purchased by a responsible adult. Even if connected to Wi-Fi, you are responsible for your child’s device.
There are many specific aspects to be aware of, and there is nothing better than understanding all the legal and moral implications before using something.

It’s not just the images you post that can bring irreversible consequences, but also what you write. Make sure your child only writes things that you as parents would feel comfortable reading. The same rule that applies to images also applies to text. This helps prevent them from making bad jokes or inappropriate comments that they may have to answer for in the future.

These behaviors—when someone posts images of another person on social media or WhatsApp groups along with inappropriate and disrespectful comments—are considered cyberbullying and classified as cybercrimes.

Cyberbullying is the extension of hostile behavior from the physical environment to the virtual space, where there are no boundaries between aggressor and victim. There is no safety for the victim, who feels completely exposed. The spread happens so quickly that there is no doubt: cyberbullying is one of the most harmful and devastating forms of psychological aggression today.

We cannot downplay the seriousness of cyberbullying by calling it a joke or mistakenly treating it as something insignificant.
The damage caused offline reflects in serious psychological consequences for the victims and shows up in their daily lives.

Families and schools must be alert to sudden behavioral changes, and academic performance may show clear signs. Skipping school, refusing to go out with friends, trouble focusing, lack of interest in previously enjoyed activities, excessive smartphone use, self-harming behavior, physical complaints, irritability and anxiety can all be warning signs.
Sending threatening messages, sharing embarrassing photos or videos, creating hate groups or websites, offensive polls, fake accounts, hacking into other people’s profiles, identity theft and sending sexually explicit messages (sexting) are all forms of virtual aggression.

Talk to your children about cyberbullying just as you talk about real-world bullying.
All children and teens can become victims, but the way we help them deal with it can make all the difference in their lives.

They will be less likely to do to others what they wouldn’t want done to them, and they will surely remember the conversations you had with them on the topic. This prepares them to face situations more confidently—whether it happens to them or to a friend. If your children trust you, they will tell you about any strange situations they witness in the virtual world. That’s why your presence in their digital lives is essential. Digital Education starts at home and continues at school. But if only the school takes a stand and offers guidance, they won’t have enough resources to deal with everything that may happen.
Many other risks exist in the virtual world, and I haven’t covered them all here. I will address more of them in future texts.

Big Giraffe Hugs!