Your kids’ cyber safety couldn’t be a more important issue. Check out these surprising Cyberfacts about online safety.
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DID YOU KNOW
- 89% of sexual solicitations are made in social media chatrooms or instant Messaging (IM)?
- 75% of youth who receive sexual solicitations are unlikely to tell a parent or guardian.
- Statistics show that as many as 1 in 5 children aged 10-17 have been solicited sexually online.
- Statistics suggest that as much as 45% of children aged 10-17 have been asked for personal information by someone they don’t know.
- Cyberbullying can also occur over text messages.
- Some cyberbullies are able to commit this heinous act anonymously These aren’t meant to scare you, they are meant to make you aware of the threats your kids can face online. Our site also features helpful tips on how to handle them.
- Stay informed by visiting www.ca.go.ke or download the KE-CIRT app now!
#HuweziTuchezaTukoCyberSMART
Signs of Bullying
If your children are exhibiting any of these signs, it could be a sign they are being bullied or cyberbullied.
- Nervous, uneasy or scared about normal activities such as going outside or going to school.
- 75% of youth who receive sexual solicitations are unlikely to tell a parent or guardian.
- Reluctant to use social media or text or nervous and jumpy while doing so.
- They seem upset, frustrated or angry after going online.
- Cyberbullying can also occur over text messages.
- Reluctant to discuss their online activity, increasingly secretive about what they’re doing online.
- They seem disinterested in their favourite activities or hobbies.
- Sudden antisocial behaviour, withdrawn from friends and family. These could be warning signs that your child is being bullied. If you suspect this is the case, contact the relevant professionals at their school and consider consulting mental health professionals.
#HuweziTuchezaTukoCyberSMART
Smarts Rules
- Growing up always has its ups and downs. Growing up with as much exposure to the internet as our children do is a whole different experience. Here are some helpful tips to help your children safely navigate the internet and how to support them as they do.
- Start teaching them at an early age. When they begin showing interest in using the internet and internet enabled devices, this is your chance to begin teaching them how to use them safely. Remember, you and other members of your immediate family have the best opportunity to guide them.
- Set clear expectations of how they should behave online and how important their online reputation is (because this could come back to either help them or haunt them later in life).
- Set clear boundaries and educate them about
- The types of content that are unsuitable for them
- The consequences and dangers of cyberbullying, hate speech and harassment
- The dangers of sharing personal and even intimate information online and the legal consequences of sharing others’.
- Always be aware of what your kids are doing. One way to do this is to designate a safe and comfortable area in your house for online activity. This can help your kids feel safe because they can easily reach out but independent enough to explore the internet without feeling overly monitored.
- Try to keep an open and honest environment. Let your kids know that they can come to you about any questions and concerns about their online experience without any judgment on your part.
- Consider installing parental locks on common devices and certain websites.
- Protect your childrens’ information and teach them how to do the same
- Teach them how to set their privacy settings online and not to overshare their information.
- Ensure that all of your devices are updated with the latest in security, antivirus and antimalware software.
- Create fun learning sessions where your kids can learn general cybersecurity terms, what they mean and how to recognise them.
- Show your children where they can report their concerns online at www.ca.go.ke, writing to incidents@ke-cirt.go.ke or calling 0703042700 #HuweziTuchezaTukoCyberSMART
