Our kids today are growing up in a very connected generation. While parents try to teach their kids discipline and discernment in real-life situations, another area that needs their attention and guidance is how their children interact online. Since the internet is abound with an interminable supply of information and chances for interaction, parents need to exercise a considerable yet respectful level of control as regards to their child’s internet usage to protect them from risks present in the World Wide Web.
Screen Time of Filipino Kids
This is a pressing issue especially for a digital native-filled market such as the Philippines. In 2018, a study conducted by international think tank DQ Institute showed that the average Filipino child spends 34 hours per week in front of digital screens for entertainment, two hours higher than the global average. Filipinos aged 8-12 years old are also more exposed to “unhealthy habits of digital usage” as well as to cyber risks such as cyber bullying and online sexual behavior as shown by their screen time score of 96 which is lower than the global average of 100.
While there are so many wonders that the internet has brought, there are real dangers when children are left totally unsupervised in their use of it. While there is no denying that the internet has become their go-to hub for information, games and interaction through social media, parents should always keep their children’s curiosity in check and supervise their children’s media use.
#RatedPC Advocacy
With this goal, Globe launched “#RatedPC (Parental Control)”, an advocacy campaign to emphasize among Globe At Home Postpaid subscribers and other Filipino parents and guardians the importance of parental supervision with regard to children’s internet use.
“It may not be enough to just teach kids about whom to talk to, safety in and out of the home, what to read or watch on TV; parents should also guide their kids when it comes to their online experience,” explains Martha Sazon, Senior Vice President and Head of Broadband Business of Globe Telecom. “#Rated PC aims to educate and empower these parents in how they can maximize the benefits of their kids’ internet usage such as learning and collaboration while minimizing risks and dangers present in the online world.”
Tips For Effective Parental Control
Limit Screen Time
Perhaps limiting their screen time can do the trick, except when it involves real school work. With this, they can learn to manage their screen time efficiently by dividing their allowable time between school assignments, research, play or simply surfing the web.
Protect Identity and Security
Emphasize the importance of protecting their privacy and identity by not giving out personal information like their passwords to unknown sites or digital strangers. More importantly, just as they are taught about “stranger danger” in reality, kids must learn that this applies in the online world as well. It’s like teaching them not to divulge their personal information to people they meet for the first time and not going anywhere with a stranger.
Check Sources
While the internet is deemed a source of information, it can also be a platform for mis- or dis-information, which is why the phrase “Fake News” was born. Teach children to check sources and go to credible sites for news. From time to time, kids should be reminded that not everything they see or read online is true.
Online Responsibility
If the practice of observing courtesy and respect at home, school or other places is encouraged among children, the same should be done whenever they are online. Children should be taught the basics of exercising courtesy when it comes to communicating online, either with their peers or older individuals, as if they are speaking to the one at the other end of the line in person. No vulgar or hurtful words, profanities, body shaming, name calling or “cyberbullying” and other hurtful actions.
Activate Parental Control
Online vigilance is certainly not easy for a parent who already has so many concerns in managing a household and caring for a family. However, there are several options for parents in order to help them with this concern.
Internet service providers usually bundle parental control features for their online service. The TP Link Device which is bundled especially for Globe At Home Postpaid subscribers is a great option.
It allows parents to easily set up controls for their kids to secure their online experience. With these features, parents and guardians can protect their kids from various online threats, safeguard their network from unwanted content, restrict or block access to unsuitable sites, deploy anti-virus software, manage all connected devices, and even enhance WiFi signal inside the home.
Leave a Reply