How To Protect Minors From Harassment On Social Networks

The safety of minors using social media is at risk due to poor practices like sexting and stalking. We’ll see more about these later. Teenagers are especially vulnerable because they have easy access to the internet and have low self-esteem. They also place a lot of importance on their social reputation. Cybercrime can also be caused by seemingly innocent behaviors, such as sharing personal data or not using strong password practices. How to protect minors online from harassment

Harassment in social media networks is the most severe form of harassment

Sexting is the act of sending messages, photos or videos from personal sexual or erotic content over IM networks or other social networks. Although sexting is not a crime, the sending of such information without consent is.

Stalking is when someone calls, sends gifts, or texts messages to the victim. However, they are not allowed to do so and it happens repeatedly. It is harassment because it is unwelcomed and is done repeatedly.

Cyberbulling, which is harassment between equals in the information technology environment (also social networks), includes acts of humiliation, blackmail and insults by minors towards minors.

Grooming refers to the act of presenting an adult as a minor in order to gain sensitive information or allow a criminal to take place.

These actions are least dangerous and most harmful for minors, so it is important to avoid them. It is important to remember that no control measures can completely eliminate danger. The most important thing is for the child to be able to distinguish what poses a threat and how to respond in such situations.

Cybersecurity recommendations for parents and guardians

The first to know the basics of cybersecurity is to inform parents and guardians. There are several ways to prevent harassment on social media.

Devices not intended for minors should have an encrypted password. A double factor authentication must be used to protect shared computers resources that are not intended for minors.

Pre-installed apps or apps that should not be used on devices intended for minors must not be installed. It is important to remember that although social networks have a minimum age for users to register, they don’t usually establish any means to verify that the user is not a minor. He can register if he chooses to falsify data.

Adults should set parental control settings for browsers on their children’s devices, and enable search engines to restrict adult results.

Functions such as “Kids Mode”, which can be found on mobile devices, are highly recommended. These features limit the amount of time children have to play or restrict what apps and contacts they can access.

It is not acceptable to leave our phone with a minor and not pay attention to what they do with it

These are the measures that parents or guardians can take at the education level

Be available for minors to talk at all times. Also, be aware of unusual behavior by them. This could indicate that they are being harassed and extorted.

Facilitate access for minors to healthy forums, where they can discuss their problems and receive guidance about how to behave.

Give cybersecurity guidelines to minors as we have provided in the next point.

Cybersecurity Guidance For Minors

Crackers (hackers using illegal methods and/or purposes) and stalkers are most likely to target those who have less experience and training. This profile is often shared by minors, so it’s important to avoid making mistakes and exposing yourself to harassment via social media. It:

If “Kids Mode”, or something similar, has not been enabled, minors shouldn’t be able to use the devices of their parents.

It is important to explain to minors the differences between a private sphere and a public one. Also, it is essential that we make it clear that the majority of information shared via social networks is public.

We need to be able to anticipate their needs and help them set up privacy settings on social media. If they are old enough, we can also explain how and why.

They should know what personal information they should not share on social media with anyone whose identity isn’t clear. This includes phone number, location, photos, and even home telephone numbers.

They must know what information they should not share with anyone, regardless of whether they are acquaintances or friends: passwords for applications or services, bank information, and compromised photos (although this information is often accessible to minors).

Let us conclude by noting that although all of these measures may be taken, it does not guarantee that the minor is safe. They only encourage the protection. If a minor has internet access, they should be considered at risk of becoming victims of malicious minors or adults. It is important to be aware of the potential for harassment on social networks and in other areas of the network.