Section 4:Online Privacy

It’s important for children to be exposed to technology and to find their own way around it as they grow older. But how can you keep them protected while they explore the internet and increase their communication via online games, messaging apps and social media?

This part of our Guide to Raising Future-Ready Kids will help you understand online privacy yourself, give you tips to educate your children on the risks, and offer techniques for keeping them safe online.

First of all, what do we mean by online privacy?

Online privacy relates to the control you have over what is shared about you online.

We leave a digital footprint everywhere we go. It’s everything you post on social media, every message you send, every form you complete, every visit to a website, and every minute spent in a mobile app. And this digital footprint is accessible and exploitable by many more people and companies than you might realize - and certainly more than your children will appreciate.

Having an understanding of how technology works when they’re young, means that kids will be a lot more savvy and digitally aware as young adults - they’ll be more able to take control of their digital experiences and enhance their sense of responsibility. 

Elizabeth Tweedale, CEO, Coco Coders

How companies track your child

Cookies

Cookies allow websites to store information about you while you’re using them, and also to remember that information when you come back again in the future. This can be very helpful - for example, you can opt to login automatically so that you don’t need to remember your username and password. 

But it also has privacy implications, because cookies can be exploited by third party companies that a website happens to use. For example, if a website is connected to Facebook, then it’s likely Facebook is also tracking your usage of that website. Facebook can then use this information to decide which adverts to put in front of you in the future. And this is just as true for the websites that your child will use.

There’s a good chance that potentially harmful cookies will disappear or be disabled some time in the future - for example, Google is aiming to remove third party cookies as part of their Privacy Sandbox but your child should still understand that even just visiting a website gives away some information about you

Mobile Advertising IDs

The number of people with a mobile device now exceeds those with a fixed internet connection, and many mobile users are children. Across the globe, web-enabled devices such as smartphones and tablets have evolved into essential tools for communication, information and entertainment. 60% of the global internet population uses a mobile device to go online. According to a survey by Common Sense Media, more than half of US children now own a smartphone - including 84% of teenagers. 1 in 5 children have a phone by the age of 8.

While many parents might give children a phone to play games on or to communicate with friends and family, they might not consider how the phone is tracking their activity. In a similar way to how cookies work, app developers can use the mobile advertising ID (MAID) built into your phone to collect data about you, your phone and your usage patterns.

In particular, these MAIDs mean that companies can learn how to target you (and your children) with advertising.

It’s helpful to know that, by design, these MAIDs can be reset at any time (to clear your history), and Apple and Android both offer mechanisms to opt out of data collection entirely: 

• Iphone Users Guide: Limit Ad Tracking 

• Google Support: Control the Ads You See 

Social media

Social media used to mean Facebook - but now it encompasses any digital experience where you’re sharing things with other people. And, given the high number of kids with a phone, it’s not surprising that many use some form of social media - Instagram, Snapchat, WhatsApp, TikTok, Messenger... 

While social media brings plenty of benefits, there are a lot of risks too, especially for younger minds who haven’t experienced the transition from a world without that level of exposure.

Here are some tips for educating your children on online privacy and protecting them from the dangers of the internet and social media…

Educate

Children may not understand the implications of sharing things online, or chatting with strangers on Roblox or Reddit, but they’re smart enough to understand it when it’s explained to them. Start by having an open conversation with your children about the importance of privacy and the potential risks associated with sharing their personal information online. Explain what constitutes private information (such as their full name, home address, school details, etc.) and why it shouldn’t be shared with strangers online. 

Another danger of the digital world is cyberbullying, which can come from people your child knows, or from anonymous users they meet online. You should encourage them to report any bullying they encounter, and to ask for help if they feel they are being targeted. 

It’s also important to teach your child how they should behave online. People often act differently when they’re in an anonymous space or when they’re not physically in front of the person they’re engaging with, but you can encourage your child to treat others with respect and kindness, regardless of whether they’re online or offline. 

See our blog with tips on how to educate children on cyberbullying.

Communicate

You should try to discuss online privacy and safety regularly with your child, so that you can guide them as they grow and their digital habits evolve. Here are some useful conversation starters: 

• Ask your children to tell you about the sites they like to visit and what they enjoy doing online.

• Ask them about how they stay safe online. What tips do they have for you, and where did they learn them? What is OK and not OK to share?

• Ask them if they know how to report or block users on the services they use. Show them if they don’t.

• Encourage them to help. Perhaps they can show you how to do something better online or they might have a friend who would benefit from their help and support.

• Think about how you use the internet as a family. What could you do to get more out of the internet together and further enjoy your lives online?

Monitor

Consider using parental control software or built-in device features to monitor and restrict your child’s online activities. Most devices and web browsers offer settings to let you control what your children are allowed to access. You can limit their web browsing to child-friendly content and also view which websites and media they are accessing. 

It would be valuable to explain to your children why you have locked down their devices and what types of content you’re protecting them from. We’ve written a useful article about how to switch on parental controls on the most popular devices.

Be sure to regularly revisit and adjust these filtering settings as your child grows, to meet their ever-evolving needs and understanding of online safety.

Photo sharing and digital Footprints

Children may share photos, videos or messages that contain sensitive, embarrassing, or inappropriate content - or they may receive such content from others which can be emotionally damaging. Worse still, content shared online typically can’t be taken back once it’s been sent or posted, and something posted today could cause problems years later - for example when trying to get into college or secure a job. 

Talk to your child about their digital identity, what it means to them, and how it reflects who they really are. Discuss the long-term implications of sharing to encourage them to take responsibility for their own actions.

It’s worth noting, though, that when it comes to posting pictures of kids on social media, parents can be the worst culprits. According to Mail Online, the average child has their picture shared 1300 times before the age of 13! 

Create safe online spaces

If your child wants to use social media, here are some tips to help them use it safely: 

• Start a conversation about social media early and keep the lines of communication open. Encourage your child to come to you with any questions.

• Ensure that your child is using age-appropriate social media platforms. Many platforms have age restrictions to protect younger users. 

• Be your child's friend or follower on social media platforms. This allows you to keep an eye on their online activities. 

• Teach your child how to create and maintain strong, unique passwords for their accounts. Explain the importance of not sharing passwords with anyone, even friends. Encourage your children to only accept friend/follow requests from people they know in real life. 

• Set reasonable limits on screen time to balance online and offline activities. This can help prevent overuse and addiction to social media. 

• Model responsible and safe social media use for your child - they will follow your lead. 

Keep up to date

Talking about technology regularly with your child will help you stay up to date with the latest trends, apps and social media platforms. There’s a good chance they’ll learn about the newest risk to their online privacy long before you do.

Elizabeth Tweedale, CEO, Coco Coders

We recommend routinely checking your child's devices to ensure they are following the established rules and guidelines, see which apps and websites they’re using, and to review and update their privacy settings to keep them appropriate for their age.

We’ve lots of useful resources and tips for parents here.

As a parent, it's crucial to strike a balance between allowing your children to explore the digital world and ensuring their safety and privacy. By staying engaged, educating your children, and utilizing appropriate controls, you can create a secure online environment for your family. 

You might like our blog 10 Effective Ways to Support Kids Interested in Technology

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