SAFER Internet Day is observed every February to bring attention to the critical nature of online security and to inspire people to do what they can to make the internet a more secure place, especially for children.

This year, Safer Internet Day fell on February 7.

According to a report from Singapore-based cyber security firm Acronis Cyber Foundation, the internet offers a boon in terms of learning and accessibility to resources, but it may also serve as a fertile breeding ground for criminal behavior.

“Children are especially susceptible to falling victim to cyber criminals, unequipped with the essential knowledge required to safely navigate the web. As digital natives, however, today’s kids are quick to learn when it comes to technology, making it easier to teach them necessary internet safety tips,” said Acronis’ Chief Information Security Officer Kevin Reed.

PH kids at risk

In the Philippines, there have been children who fell prey to online sexual exploitation and abuse. 

According to 2022 data from the Department of Justice – Office of Cybercrime, 1914 victims survived human trafficking in 2021. It also said that 33 percent of this total is composed of minors.

A separate report from the United Nations Children’s Fund said 49 operations were carried out against traffickers.  A total of 131 children were saved, and 16 offenders arrested.  

This means cyberspace is not a safe space for children in the Philippines and that the internet has been widely used to exploit children.

In line with the celebration of Safer Internet Day, Acronis gave tips on how to keep your children (and your wallet, too) safe online. 

They are the following: 

Keep an eye on your children’s internet gaming activities, and who they’re talking to online

According to Reed, games like Roblox and Minecraft allow young children to interact and play with people from all over the world, and online gaming has experienced tremendous growth over the past ten years. Given that a recent survey from the Center for Cybersafety and Education found that more than 40 percent of web-connected kids between fourth and eighth grade admitted to communicating with strangers online, this invites prospective predators who view children as easy prey.

Encourage your child to utilize the “block” feature in these games for anyone who makes them feel uneasy, said Reed.

Prevent your child from making online or in-app purchases 

Making certain your kids can’t buy anything on apps and websites is just as vital as keeping them secure from strangers. Acronis said mobile apps allow microtransactions, which even toddlers can mistakenly trigger, making it easy for kids to buy in-game money or cosmetics.

Keep your payments password-protected. Use PINs or fingerprint confirmations, or ensure that payment methods are completely disabled on apps your kids use.

Guard your children’s information

Data privacy is an increasing problem for the connected world, with massive data breaches being reported continuously. Citing a UN report, Acronis noted that over 80 percent of children have a digital imprint before they are two years old, prompting worries regarding parents’ sharing of information about their children. 

It likewise noted that parents should teach their children that their address and complete name should never be disclosed online outside of school-approved websites. Setting the kids’ internet profiles to private so that only authorized personnel can see them is one great move to keep them safe and private.

Check your child’s account 

In addition to setting your child’s account to “private,” most social media networks allow users to adjust individual features or privacy settings. Parents can also disable direct messaging or establish app time limits in order to protect children from strangers following them online, Reed said.

Keep an open line of communication 

Even though keeping an eye on how your child uses the internet will reduce the number of potential dangers they are exposed to, it is imperative that you teach them the skills necessary to participate in online activities securely and privately when they are on their own.

“The internet is a massive place, and cyber threats are constantly evolving — realistically, you can’t prepare for every possibility. That’s why the most important tip of all is to have an open and honest conversation with your kids,” said Reed.

According to him, it is important that parents are telling their kids that they can always talk about their experiences online without the fear of being judged or worried about the negative consequences.

How Safer Internet Day started

The first Safer Internet Day started in 2004 with support from the European Commission. It aims to raise awareness regarding the importance of internet safety. Safer Internet Day is commemorated every second day of the second week of February every year.