Modern education is not just about math, Polish language, or biology lessons. It's also about learning to navigate the virtual world, which is a daily reality for our children, but often remains somewhat mysterious for parents. Safer Internet Day is a great opportunity to take a closer look at how we can support our children in using the internet safely. After all, school - both traditional and online - is a place where our children spend more and more time. It's worth taking care to make it a safe space.
The most common online threats your children may face
Cyberbullying – Modern conflicts between peers often move online. Insulting comments, exclusion from class groups, or sharing compromising materials are, unfortunately, a daily reality for many teenagers. It's worth talking to your child to make them understand that reporting such situations is a sign of maturity, not "tattling".
Harmful content – The internet is a treasure trove of knowledge, but also a place where you can come across inappropriate content: violence, pornography, or materials promoting risky behavior. Children should know how to filter out such content and when to seek help from parents or teachers.
Online scams – "You've won the latest smartphone! Click here!" – sounds familiar? Children are particularly vulnerable to such traps, so it's worth teaching them healthy skepticism towards "unexpected prizes" and suspicious messages.
Be your child's guide in the digital world!
You don't have to be a technology expert to take care of your child's online safety. A few simple steps and tools are enough to make this task easier:
Google Family Link –
What does it do? Allows you to control which apps your child installs, how much time they spend on the screen, and where they are (GPS works!).
How to start?
Download Google Family Link for parents on your device.
Create an account for your child.
Connect devices and set rules. It's easier than checking your child's homework!
Microsoft Family Safety –
Why is it worth it? Allows you to filter out inappropriate content, set time limits, and monitor your child's activity in a user-friendly way.
How to do it?
Download Microsoft Family Safety on your device.
Create a family in the app, adding family members.
Set appropriate restrictions and monitor your child's activity. You don't have to look over their shoulder!
How to enable Google SafeSearch?
To protect your child from inappropriate content in search results, it's worth enabling the SafeSearch feature in Google. Here's how to do it:
On a computer:
Go to the Google Search Settings page.
Check the "Enable SafeSearch" option.
Click "Save" at the bottom of the page.
What to do if a problem arises?
If your child or you have come across inappropriate content or fallen victim to a scam, here's where you can seek help:
Institutions and ways to report incidents:
Police
Scope of responsibility: Reporting crimes, including online scams.
How to report? In person at the police station or online through gov.pl.
CERT Polska (CSIRT NASK)
Scope of responsibility: Responding to incidents such as phishing, malware, or fake online stores.
How to report? Fill out the reporting form on incydent.cert.pl.
Dyżurnet.pl
Scope of responsibility: Reporting illegal content, such as child pornography or violence.
How to report? Use the form on dyzurnet.pl.
CSIRT GOV
Scope of responsibility: Incidents in government administration and critical infrastructure.
How to report? Contact through csirt.gov.pl.
How to report inappropriate content on social media and services?
Facebook/Instagram: Click the three dots (...) next to a post, comment, or profile, select "Report", and follow the instructions. More information can be found in the Facebook Help Center.
YouTube: Click the three dots under a video, select "Report", and submit the form. Details can be found in the YouTube Help.
Twitter/X: Click the downward arrow next to a tweet, select "Report Tweet", and follow the instructions. More information can be found on the Twitter Help page.
TikTok: Click the "Share" arrow icon next to a video, select "Report", and specify the reason for the report. Details can be found in the TikTok Help Center.
Today's tip: You don't have to be a cybersecurity expert to protect your family online. A little attention, a few clever tools, and conversations with your child are enough. Remember, even in the safest internet, the best antivirus is common sense!
And now... check what your child is doing on that tablet. Maybe they're writing a blog about online safety?
#SaferInternetDay #CyberParent #SafeChildOnline #DontLetHackersWin
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