In today's digital era, it is more important than ever that children and young people develop the skills to deal with the challenges of the online world safely and responsibly. As parents, carers and educators, it is our job to support them in this. At Cyberchecker, we want to help you guide your children as they navigate the digital landscape. In this blog post, we will explain some important terms and give tips on how you can help your children navigate the online world in a safe and healthy way.
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity is an important topic that concerns parents and children alike. It refers to measures and technologies developed to protect computer networks, systems, devices and data from cyber-attacks, unauthorised access, data theft and other threats. It is important that children learn early on how to stay safe online by using strong passwords, not disclosing personal information and being careful with suspicious links and messages.
Fake news
Fake news is false or misleading information that is deliberately spread in order to influence opinions, create a mood or spread disinformation. It can quickly go viral on social media platforms and lead to misunderstandings, confusion and conflict. It is important that children learn to be critical of the information they see online and to check sources before believing them.
FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)
FOMO refers to the fear of missing out that can arise from the constant consumption of social media, when you feel like you're not participating in current events or keeping up with the latest happenings. It is important that children learn to develop a healthy approach to social media and not be influenced by the pressure to always be online.
Doxing
Doxing is the practice of collecting and publishing personal information about a person online, often with the aim of harassing, threatening or discrediting them. Parents should educate their children about what personal information they can share online and what should be kept private.
Cyberbullying
Cyberbullying is a serious problem that affects many children and young people. It refers to the use of technology, particularly social media, to deliberately harass, threaten or humiliate other people. Parents should talk to their children about cyberbullying and encourage them to seek help if they are victimised or witness someone else doing it.
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity is another important aspect of the digital world that affects parents and children alike. It encompasses the practices, technologies and processes aimed at protecting computer systems, networks and data from unauthorised access, misuse, theft or damage. Parents should ensure that their children's devices are equipped with the latest security updates and that they use strong passwords to protect their data.
Data protection
Data protection is another important topic in connection with the use of social media and other online platforms. It refers to the security and protection of personal data from unauthorised access, misuse or disclosure. Parents should teach their children how to protect their privacy online by reviewing their privacy settings and only sharing information with trusted individuals.
Two-factor authentication
Two-factor authentication is a security procedure in which access to an account or platform is verified by entering two different identification methods to increase security against unauthorised access. Parents should teach their children how to enable two-factor authentication to further protect their accounts.
Phishing
Phishing refers to fraudulent attempts to steal sensitive information such as usernames, passwords and credit card information through fake communications, often through fake emails or websites. Children should learn how to recognise and protect themselves from phishing attempts by not giving out personal information or clicking on suspicious links.
Fake news
Fake news is misleading or false information that is deliberately spread to manipulate or deceive public opinion. Children should learn how to recognise fake news and rely on trustworthy sources for their information.
Sexting
Sexting is the sending or receiving of sexually explicit messages, photos or videos via digital communication tools such as smartphones or social media. Parents should talk to their children about the risks of sexting and teach them how to protect themselves in such situations by not sharing intimate content and treating others with respect.
Cyber grooming
Cyber grooming refers to the manipulation and targeted approach of children or young people via the internet, often with the aim of enabling sexual abuse or exploitation. Parents should talk to their children about how they can protect themselves from cyber grooming by not disclosing personal information and not socialising with strangers online.
Bubble
Bubble refers to the tendency of social media users to stay in a filter bubble-like environment where they are mainly exposed to content and opinions that match their own views, which can lead to limited diversity and perspective. Children should learn how to step out of their bubble and learn about different perspectives in order to develop a broader understanding of the world.
Algorithm
An algorithm is a set of instructions or rules used by computer programs to perform certain tasks, such as displaying content in the news feeds of social media platforms, based on user interests and behaviour. Children should understand how algorithms work and how they can influence their online experiences.
Grooming
Grooming is the process by which an adult forms an emotional connection with a child in order to later abuse them, often through online communication and advances. Parents should talk to their children about the risks of grooming and teach them how to recognise and protect themselves from suspicious behaviour.
Social media disorder scale
The Social Media Disorder Scale is a tool to assess and measure the level of dependency or negative impact that excessive social media use can have on mental wellbeing. Parents should be mindful of how much time their children spend online and ensure that they have a healthy balance between online and offline activities.
We hope that this overview of some important terms in the field of cyber security and digital media has helped you. If you have any further questions or need more information, don't hesitate to contact us.