The Internet today has become an integral part of the life of people of any age. He can serve for good. With the help of the Network, people can communicate, have fun, search for the necessary information and even make money. However, the Internet is also known for its mass of negative manifestations. They apply to both children and adults. There are certain dangers on the Internet.
Unwanted content, violence, pornography, intrusive communication - all this can negatively affect the psyche. Also, a long stay in front of a computer worsens the physical condition of the body. You should learn more about how not to become addicted to virtual reality and protect your child from the negative effects of the World Wide Web.
Statistics data
The Internet can serve for good or for harm. Therefore, it is important to correctly apply the opportunities that the Network provides. According to statistics, about 10 million children in our country under the age of 14 use the Internet. The older generation is also actively using the capabilities of the World Wide Web. What is interesting on the Internet? It is a world full of information, entertainment and communication. Many lack it in real life. Children start using the Internet from the age of 4 (on average). At the age of 12 years, about 85% of the younger generation actively use the World Wide Web for communication and entertainment.
According to all the same statistics, about 52% of children under the age of 14 visit sites prohibited for viewing at this age. This can significantly affect the psyche, the formation of personality and the future life of the baby. However, even without visiting such sites, children may face a different danger. Doctors of the country noticed that the younger generation is becoming weaker, less physically developed. Because of this, various diseases arise. The immunity of children ceases to fight independently even with simple diseases. The dangers on the Internet are varied. They do not pass by and adults. No one is safe from such negative influences. For both children and adults, various dangers on the Web are relevant.
Danger to adults
Many older people do not understand what's interesting on the Internet. However, gradually, our grandparents begin to actively use the benefits of the Web. It is the Internet that allows them to communicate with loved ones and relatives who are currently in another city or even a country. Here you can find almost all the information you need. And the older generation cannot remain indifferent to games. Young people are worried that their parents and grandparents may be the victims of scammers working through the Internet. About 52% of people surveyed expressed concern about this issue.
Many adult Internet users (about 53%) are afraid that their computer will be infected with a malicious virus. Therefore, people are afraid to open unknown letters, messages. They do not go to advertising sites and take other similar actions.
36% of adult Internet users surveyed are afraid of spying on them using the Web. 45% of people believe that there is a real threat of losing a certain amount of money. The younger generation is especially worried about this. They believe that their older relatives may, through ignorance or inexperience, become victims of scammers by sending real money to an unknown company. Adults, knowing what dangers can lurk them on the Web, are careful. But children are nonchalant. It is for this reason that the Internet poses more threats to them.
Threats for children
The dangers on the Internet for children are somewhat different from the dangers for adults. The most common categories of undesirable factors for babies have long been identified by psychologists, parents, teachers and doctors. One of the most serious types of dangers on the Web for the younger generation is to receive unwanted information. This can be pornography, violence, drugs, gambling, a forbidden ideology and many other things. Children's psyche cannot fully accept the knowledge gained. This can significantly affect thinking, mental development.
The dangers on the Internet can be different. Young children can give out strangers confidential information about themselves and their parents. For example, it can be a name, address, account number or e-wallet. Children can also tell what time they are walking and where, when their parents return home, etc. Using the Internet, attackers can make an appointment with a child and communicate with him about inappropriate things. It is also not uncommon for children to make uncontrolled purchases in online stores. In some cases, there is a risk of a computer being infected with a virus. This is not a complete list. It may vary depending on the age of the child. Parents need to know how to prepare their children for such situations in order to avoid negative consequences.
Common threats to all
The dangers of the Internet to humans can be significant if basic safety standards are not followed. Moreover, some adverse factors when working with the Network may occur regardless of age. Both adults and the younger generation may become addicted to virtual reality. Today there are many games, platforms for communication, etc. They may seem more interesting, brighter than ordinary life. Therefore, adults and children can sit for hours at a computer or laptop monitor. At the same time, development in the real world can be inhibited.
Adverse acquaintances can lie in wait for both adults and children. Oddly enough, but adults can just as confidently make appointments with strangers as children. Some scammers can take advantage of this. Another form of danger that can lurk in virtual reality, both adults and children, is bullying with the help of the Internet. Confidential information, insults can significantly affect the emotional state of a person. At any age, such actions can lead to a breakdown. Regardless of how old you are, you need to exercise caution in communication, not to disclose confidential information to the interlocutor.
Children under 10 years old
Dangers on the Internet can lie in wait for a person at any age. However, each user group has its own characteristics. Children begin to show interest in the Internet at the age of 3-4 years. In some cases, this is possible before. However, at this age, the actions of the baby are easily controlled by the parents. They can follow what their child is doing on the Web. But when they reach the age of 7 years, children are faced with the first adverse factors of the Internet. At this age, babies copy the actions of elders. It is important to develop the right culture of behavior on the Web. Children at this age are gullible. They like to travel to different sites, as well as play various popular games. Also, kids can use the mail, go to chat rooms. Moreover , children can show interest in banned sites.
Parents should configure the browser accordingly. They can also control what information the child watched. You can restrict access to different servers. Under the age of 9, there is a danger of online games. Children spend too much time at the computer. This affects their physical development and health. Parents should encourage outdoor walks, sports.
Behavior of parents of children under 9 years of age
Knowing the main types of dangers on the Internet, adults must take a number of measures. This will help prevent various negative consequences. It is necessary to develop a number of rules for using the World Wide Web. This is desirable to do with the child. The kid should know that he is allowed to visit only certain sites that parents approve of. If the Internet is connected to the computer, the equipment should be in the common room. There are controls to block inappropriate content (e.g. MNS Premium's Parental Controls).
Children should write messages and letters only from the general family mail box. It is necessary to explain to the child what can happen if he decides to give certain information to strangers. It is also very important to simply communicate with children. It is necessary to ask about their friends on the Internet, to explain what a spontaneous acquaintance can lead to. Children should not talk to strangers. This rule applies to both the street and the Internet. It is very important that the child trust elders. If he sees something intimidating, threatening on the Web, he must tell about it. Parents should not scold the child for this. On the contrary, you need to praise the baby for honesty and make him understand that he is safe. Some difficult questions may need to be explained. However, this can protect the child from dangers.
Children 9-12 years old
At the age of 9-12 years, children begin to demand from parents a certain freedom. This is a time of rapid change. Relationships with friends and classmates become very important. Parental control in this case should slightly weaken. However, adults should not lose their vigilance. At this age, the Internet is not only used for games. This is a full-fledged source of transmitting and receiving the necessary information. Children prepare school assignments using the Web. There is a certain danger of working on the Internet. Children can download a virus to their computer.
Also, younger teens can download various music, actively use e-mail and other means of communication. At this age, preference is given to sites that allow instant messaging. Also at this age, children often have idols. Parents should prepare their child for the basic rules of using the Internet at a young age. Having reached young adolescence, children begin to better understand the basics of working with the Network. However, parents still need to restrict access to sites with a specific topic, keep track of the history of information search.
Actions of parents of children aged 9-12 years
Knowing the dangers of the Internet for young adolescents, it is necessary to develop the right tactics of behavior. The child must abide by the rules. At this age, you need to give children a certain freedom. However, the computer must still be in the common room. You should talk with children about their online activities. The conversation should be friendly. It is necessary to tell in detail about the dangers of dating on the Internet. Also, you can not give people your confidential information. It is necessary to explain in detail what this is fraught with for parents and the child himself.
It is also very important to teach the child not to download any programs to the computer without the knowledge of the parents. They should not open doubtful letters. You should also talk about copyright. When downloading files or pictures, this is relevant. Talk about pornography on the web should also be held. This issue should not be left to chance. Otherwise, the child will not be able to adequately assess what information is real.
Children from 13 to 18 years old
The question of whether the Internet is harmful to health arises among many parents. With proper use of the Network, you can avoid almost all of the negative consequences. It is important at any age to pay sufficient attention to physical fitness. However, at older ages, children gradually get out of the control of older ones. A teenager is trying to assert itself, to gain independence. Parents should not interfere with their children in this. They should be there and help with advice. However, the obsessive restriction of the teenager in actions can affect the relationship with older relatives. It is very important not to lose the confidence of the child at this age.
Parents should be aware that the typical behavior of a teenager on the Internet is primarily communication. At this age, the child will not want to share information about his conversations with peers and other acquaintances. Teenagers have a lot of energy, ideas, but so far little experience. This is where parents should help.
Children 13-18 years old actively download music, films. The Internet helps in learning. Communication takes place via instant messaging. Boys like rude humor, gambling, bloody scenes, hard games and pictures, adult videos. They are trying to sweep away all the restrictions. Teenage girls love to chat online. Parents should consider that at this age it is the fair sex who may not notice the threat when communicating with strangers. Friendly conversations should be conducted with the child about the dangers of harassment and violence.
Actions of parents of adolescents
The dangers on the Internet can lie in wait for everyone. It is important to use the Network correctly at any age. It is important to make a list of home Internet usage rules. You should put a restriction on chatting. With children you need to talk about their communication. In this case, parents should ask about it as if they were real friends from school. You can be interested in the people the teenager communicates with through instant messages. However, an interrogation should not be arranged. The conversation should be friendly. Otherwise, the teenager will not allow parents into their personal space. Protecting him from trouble in this case will not be easy.
At this age, it is imperative to talk about healthy sex with a child. All the information that a teenager finds on the Internet, he can discuss with parents. This should not be something shameful, forbidden. Open conversations with elders will help you understand basic things. Do not let the development of the child in this area by chance. It is important to teach children not to leave information about themselves on any sites, not to post their photos in chat rooms, on public sites. Having considered the main dangers on the Internet, you can take appropriate action to avoid negative consequences.