The tricks online predators use to lure our kids: Survey reveals 7 in 10 parents aren’t watching what their kids are on the internet
The tricks online predators are using to lure our children are covert and frightening, a leading national cyber safety educator says. But many parents remain oblivious to the dangers.
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Mums and dads are continuing to flounder when it comes to monitoring kids’ online use with the response of many to bury their heads in the sand despite digital dangers, a new national survey reveals.
The newly-released report finds while almost three quarters of parents feel out of their depth when it comes to educating kids on internet safety, the vast majority aren’t watching what their kids are doing when they are online.
Seven-in-10 parents surveyed admitted to letting their kids browse the internet completely unaccompanied.
Clinical psychologist and cyber safety educator Jordan Foster says she’s not surprised by the survey results.
“We are seeing many parents take a passive role in actually supervising their children in the online world,” she says.
“To be fair, many kids push back from parents as they want more privacy and time online (and) can make it difficult for parents to supervise but it’s still essential for parents to do it anyway,” she says.
In a separate study of middle school-aged children and their parents, by Ms Foster’s ySafe group, one in three kids admitted they had spoken to a stranger online, seen inappropriate content such as pornography and had created a social media account before they were old enough to do so.
Furthermore, 33 per cent of kids said that they’d hid their online activity from their parents.
“Many Australian kids are being exposed to dangers online and parents may be unaware of it … (it’s a great worry) how little parents can be involved in their child’s digital lives,” Ms Foster said.
“Some of the threats we are seeing currently (involve) online predators pretending to be social media ‘agents’, promising young children they can become famous if they send a series of videos and photos that are terrifyingly inappropriate in nature.
“Pornography is as rife as ever with malicious people creating pornographic cartoons of popular characters such as Elsa (from the Disney hit Frozen), with young children watching not realising the content is vile.
“So much activity that is hurting our kids is covert and therefore our kids don’t always know how to stop it.”
Worryingly, just six per cent of those polled in the national survey raised their child viewing pornography as a concern.
Ms Foster says cyber-bullying remains an “ever-present threat”.
“More kids are now creating fake accounts under the names of their victims and targeting children anonymously by writing cruel comments or encouraging them to hurt themselves,” she said.
Child psychologist Kimberley O’Brien says honest and open lines of communication between parent and child is pivotal.
“A close relationship encourages free-flowing dialogue and the opportunity for children to express their worries and concerns, especially when it comes to cyber safety,” Dr O’Brien said.
More than 1,000 parents with children aged up to 18 years were surveyed for the national study, commissioned by internet parental control app FamilyEye.
The survey also ranked parents’ top three online concerns as being too much time playing video games (30 per cent), viewing violent videos online and exposure to bullying (26 per cent, respectively).
Almost half agreed 10 to 13 years was the most popular age (48 per cent) at which to purchase a child their first smartphone (or tablet), followed by five to nine years (24 per cent) and 14 to 16 years (15 per cent).
Tips to keep your child safe
BE mindful when children are on play dates, while you may have your own rules at home, this might not apply at your child’s friend’s house. Check in with their parents to set boundaries around internet use before a playdate.
BE consistent in parenting when it comes to online rules. It’s important for parents to live by the same rules and disciplines when it comes to online usage.
SET boundaries by using a parental control app to help track, monitor and protect your child’s safety online.
KEEP laptops and phones where you can see them. To ensure your child is safe online, it’s always best for them to use devices where visible, such as in the family lounge room, rather than their bedroom.
SET limits on your own screen use. Be a good role model on healthy habits for your child.
– Dr Kimberley O’Brien, child psychologist