Safer Kids Online: ESET initiative supports parents in protecting their children online. Interactive portal shows parents and children how to use the Internet safely.
The European IT security manufacturer ESET is launching its new platform Safer Kids Online today. Here parents will find videos, articles, expert interviews, guides and valuable tips on how to protect their children in the digital world. Especially in times of digital learning during the Corona pandemic, correct behavior on the internet is becoming even more of an issue. The little ones can also learn how to surf the Internet safely using funny videos and quizzes on the Safer Kids online site.
“Parents are often left alone when it comes to preparing their children for the Internet. With Safer Kids Online we are creating a platform that supports them. This allows guardians to support their children in using the Internet in an age-appropriate manner,” explains Ildikó Bruhns, security expert for ESET’s Safer Kids Online. “Not all parents are IT experts like us and we know how difficult it is to always stay up to date. Because the World Wide Web feels like it’s reinventing itself every day.”
Safer Kids Online is available to provide advice and support
Available in multiple languages, the Safer Kids Online website contains a variety of materials for parents, younger children and teenagers. They were developed in close collaboration between well-known child psychologists and the cybersecurity experts at ESET. The focus is on important current topics, such as raising children's awareness of the risks associated with publishing content on social networks, looking for signs of cyberbullying and protecting children from cybercriminals.
There are targeted educational materials for different age groups on each of these topics, such as:
- A video series for children ages 8 and up
- Comics for older children aged 11 and over
- Detailed information material in the form of specialist articles and video blogs (vlogs) for parents
There is also a new quiz every month and a competition where children can win fun and educational technical gadgets.
Home schooling as a new challenge
Since the Corona crisis, home schooling has become fashionable. But how can this be done safely and how do I reliably protect my devices? The use of computers, smartphones and tablets has its dangers. Administration, care and IT security are probably among the biggest challenges not only for teachers but also for parents. This also includes messengers such as WhatsApp and social networks as new information channels. Especially there, chain letters and cyberbullying are not isolated cases. Here it is helpful to benefit from the know-how of the ESET experts from Safer Kids Online.
Children of today – a digital generation
Children's first attempts to use the Internet begin in elementary school: half of six to seven-year-olds use a smartphone from time to time and 40 percent occasionally go online. This is not surprising, because even the youngest children are allowed to look at colorful pictures or short videos on their parents' laps. Given this everyday occurrence, it is more than natural that young people take their cue from adults and develop a natural curiosity for all kinds of media such as computers and mobile devices.
Every third person on the Internet is a child - and is exposed to considerable dangers, and not just when surfing. Unlike in real life, mistakes and wrong behavior are literally hard to understand for them. Even as an adult, you can quickly catch malware such as viruses, Trojans, etc. on the Internet, for example through manipulated game apps or on fake websites. That's why children need a steady hand to guide them safely past the depths of the Internet.
The Safer Kids Online portal is available here: https://saferkidsonline.eset.com/de
Article image: Shutterstock / By ann131313
Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )