In the current digital age, children are exposed to a variety of online threats that can compromise their safety. Therefore, parents need to take proactive measures to protect their children online.

The ideal approach is to educate and empower children so that they learn to stay safe on their initiative and with autonomy.

With this in mind, it will be important, first and foremost, to understand the dangers they face when they are online. Note that being online does not just mean browsing websites. Being online can involve playing a simple game, exchanging messages with contacts, taking photos or notes, recording a video, listening to music, or using utility applications. Basically, being online only requires having a device connected to the network, which in itself carries a set of risks if appropriate security and privacy settings are not applied.

Therefore, children and young people need to be sufficiently informed about the risks they are exposed to online so that they can have fun with awareness while staying safe at the same time.

In general, there are three sources of threat risks for children when they are online:

Strangers

Predators who disguise their identity and lure children on social networks and online games through social engineering. These predators often pretend to be children, a technique known as catfishing. Some hackers and cybercriminals target anyone with low security, whether a child or an adult, intending to compromise the device. They may also try to induce the child to share login credentials or payment data.

Peers

Your children may be victims of bullying or harassment from their peers. This can often happen through private messages on social networks and messaging applications like WhatsApp. Other children may share true or false personal information about your children with an offensive and humiliating intention, which can cause great psychological distress. In the case of offenses or harassment, these fall under the concept of cyberbullying, which constitutes a basis for a criminal offense.

Themselves

Unsupervised children themselves are an online risk. They tend to click on links and buttons or install software without understanding the consequences of their actions. They may also make public posts with personal information that allows their identification, identification of their family members, their location, and daily routines.

Here are some tips and recommendations to ensure the cybersecurity of your children:

Keep the devices updated

The first line of defense in online security is updating the devices. Regularly updating the operating system, antivirus software, and other applications can fix vulnerabilities and protect against emerging threats.

Educate your children about online safety

Talk to your children about online safety and the dangers of sharing personal information. Teach them to create strong passwords, avoid clicking on suspicious links, and, in general, avoid sharing personal information with both known and unknown individuals. With the latter, it's best to avoid even responding to any contact.

Use Parental Controls

Parental controls are a means to limit the types of content that your children can access online. Most devices have built-in parental control mechanisms that allow parents to restrict access to inappropriate content, set time limits for device use and much more.

Monitor your children's online activity

Parents should monitor their children's online activity to ensure they are safe. Pay attention to social media accounts, chat conversations, and websites they visit. Be alert to any changes in behavior or signs of cyberbullying.

Use secure browsing tools

Secure browsing tools can help protect your children from online threats. Browser extensions can alert you to unsafe websites and prevent you from visiting them.

Protect your home Wi-Fi network

A secure home Wi-Fi network is essential to protect your children's online activity. Change the default password and enable WPA2 encryption to prevent unauthorized access. Set a time window for network activation and deactivation. Keep the router firmware updated to fix any security vulnerabilities.

Use two-factor authentication

Two-factor authentication adds an extra layer of security to your children's online accounts. Enable two-factor authentication for email, social media, and other accounts to prevent hackers from accessing them.

Beware of phishing scams

Phishing scams are a common online threat that can compromise your children's personal information. Teach them to be wary of suspicious emails, texts, and social media messages that request personal information, money, or prompt urgent or alarming actions.

Limit sharing on social media

Social media platforms can expose your children's personal information to strangers. Teach them to limit the amount of personal information they share online and to connect only with people they know in real life.

Create an online family agreement

Create an "Online Family Agreement" that outlines rules for internet use, device usage, and acceptable online behavior. The agreement should be signed by all family members and displayed in a visible location.

In conclusion, protecting our children's cybersecurity is essential in today's digital world. By following these tips and recommendations, parents can ensure at least a basic level of online safety for their children. Remember to stay vigilant and regularly monitor the online activity of your children and teenagers.