Children’s Use of Technology and Social Media

Improvement of information technologies creates conditions for the effective development of modern society. Communication tools have become an integral part of people’s lives in all spheres of activity. Mobile phones, computers, and the Internet opened up new opportunities for communication, education, work, leisure, and creative self-realization of the individual. The number of mobile phone and Internet users is constantly increasing every day.

Despite the positive role of modern technologies and the Internet, there are certain risks in their use. Unsecured information space hides a special danger for children. The Internet may contain information of aggressive or socially dangerous content. Preferring the virtual world over the real one has a negative impact on the child’s psyche and health. It can impair vision and posture; cause anxiety, irritability, social maladjustment, and addictive behavior.

Fortunately, today there are effective ways to protect your child online. This is the use of a Turkey VPN that protects against spies and attacks when using Wi-Fi networks. At the same time, the real IP address of the user is changed to the address of one of the VPN servers. So no one can track your child online and pose a threat. Read below for more details about technological threats and the rules that are important to follow when using social networks.

How Children Use Technology and Social Media?

Technologies and social networks have become a natural part of children’s lives. The inability to work with a computer and navigate the Internet space in modern society can be compared to the inability to read and write. Technology for children is not only entertainment, but also a means of communication, self-expression, and development. In cyberspace, there are a large number of special sites addressed to children of various ages.

Independent knowledge of the information world allows to expand the circle of interests of the child and contributes to additional education, encourages ingenuity, and teaches to solve problems independently. The World Wide Web also fulfills teenagers’ need for leadership. Children who know the computer and the Internet well assess their abilities and capabilities more adequately, they are more purposeful and smart.

Threats of Technology and Social Media to Children

The list of threats posed by the new era of social media is quite extensive. Let’s consider a few main ones:

1. Computer addiction. Teenagers aged 11-17 are more prone to computer addiction. They lose the sense of time, feel insecure, helpless, fear of independent decision-making, etc.;
2. The difference between the real “I” and the Internet image. This may be a consequence of the child’s inadequate perception of himself and the world around him. Identifying himself with the hero of the game, the child gets an opportunity for a kind of self-realization in the virtual world. At the same time, he automatically tries on the qualities of the hero (courage, strength, extraordinary abilities, etc.). Returning to reality deprives the player of many opportunities and makes him helpless before the problems that exist in reality;
3. Access to content not suitable for children. Viewing materials containing scenes of violence and cruelty to people and animals, etc., prevents the formation of moral values;
4. Online fraud. Implies the actions of cybercriminals aimed at taking possession of information data or financial resources of an Internet user;
5. Infection of the computer with malicious software. It interferes with the operation of the computer, collects confidential information, or gains access to private computer systems.

Rules for Using Technologies and Social Media That Will Help Your Child Be Safe

The family lays the foundations for a child’s behavior in the real world, and the virtual space should not be an exception. Parents should pay serious attention to raising children and increasing their awareness of the dangers of new technologies. It is important to teach the child the following:

• Create a strong and clear password. Teach your child to create strong and clear passwords during each registration;
• ●      Set up privacy. Without proper privacy settings, millions of people can access the information your child posts. Use all possible account privacy settings;
• Block unpleasant content. All social networks have the ability to report threatening content/information. Explain this to your child and show how to block it;
• Make friends online only with people from the real world. Your child should understand that there is no need to be ashamed to block those who cause concern;
• Have an open dialogue. Parents cannot monitor their child’s social media activity 24/7. Therefore, the best way to protect your children is to reassure them that you will always provide support;
• Take care of your online reputation. Tell the children that their relationship in real life depends on their behavior on social media.

As mentioned above, VPN apps are a great way to improve online security. VeePN makes a person anonymous on the network and protects against various threats. According to VPN reviews, VPN apps should be installed on the device of every modern child. So, be sure to provide your kid with this reliable protection technology.

Conclusion

Social networks have become a part of everyday life not only for adults but also for children today. However, given the variety of technological threats, it is important to ensure the safety of children online. The tips described in this article and the installation of VeePN will allow you to cope with the task effectively!

Kenneth

Kenneth is a proud native of sydney, born and raised there. However, he pursued his education abroad and studied in Australia. Kenneth has worked as a journalist for almost a decade, making valuable contributions to prominent publications such as Yahoo News and The Verge. Currently, he serves as a journalist for The Hear Up, where he focuses on covering climate and science news. You can reach Kenneth at [email protected].