Wired kids. Cyber teens. The Internet Generation. There may be varied terms to describe today’s young web users, but they all have one thing in common: they grew up with PCs and are not aware of what a world before the Web was like. While children and teens may be comfortable with computer technology, they are not immune to the boundless nasties of the Internet; in fact, their online behavior may put themselves and their family members at risk.
The Web provides many benefits to young computer users; it’s an important learning and research tool, not to mention a platform for socializing and games. In fact, almost 60 percent of children three years of age and older are using the Internet, according to industry reports.
These types of statistics show that regardless of your role in a child’s life – from parent to friend to teacher – it’s important to educate them on online safety.
Like adults, young Web users face a number of security challenges every time they visit the Web. And like adults, the more knowledge children and teens have, the better prepared they will be to handle any type of online threat.