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Digital parenting

Advice for parents on how to raise children in a digital world filled with screen time, the Internet, apps and social media like Tik Tok. Our expert advisors answer questions like, “How much screen time should I allow my child?”, and “How to keep kids safe on the Internet”.

Baby Yum Yum - Social Media Filters
ParentingDigital ParentingExpertsHealth & WellnessSchool-Age Children

Expert The effect social media filters & photoshopping have on our children’s self esteem (and ours!)

by Rianette Leibowitz, Cyber Safety & Digital Parenting Thought Leader, Brand South Africa Play Your Part Ambassador and founder of SaveTNet Cyber Safety August 17, 2021
written by Rianette Leibowitz, Cyber Safety & Digital Parenting Thought Leader, Brand South Africa Play Your Part Ambassador and founder of SaveTNet Cyber Safety

Can we please teach our children about their self worth? The one filter our children really need to know about is their own self worth.

How amazing it would be to see a generation of young people who view the world through their self-worth filter instead of social media filters?

Everyone can have an attractive jawline, perfectly-shaped nose, long lashes, arched eyebrows and full lips. You can remove your freckles, pigmentation, and blemishes to create flawless Snow White like skin.

Well, you can if you are using the right apps on your smart device and the myriad of filter options we can use to fill our feeds and stories with unrealistically gorgeous photos.

Baby Yum Yum

Social media filters: the comparison trap

Even though we know that most of the social media images we scroll through have been edited, we still fall into the comparison trap that can leave us feeling insignificant, hopeless and even resentful.

Think about it – after spending 40 minutes thumbing from the one post to the next, do you feel energised, uplifted and inspired to jump out of bed and conquer the day?

Or does the mindless never-ending scrolling have a different, somewhat negative impact on you instead? Some people grab the to-do list, because they want to prove that they are also worth a thousand ‘likes’ and others don’t even bother.

There is so much to unpack, however let’s focus on one element today: how are our young people being influenced by their perfect-selfie-peers and how are they responding to brands and influencers who seem to exist in a photoshopped realm where regular people are not welcome?

Brands and influencers shape our children’s perceptions

It’s no secret that influencers are doing exactly what the name suggests – they influence the decisions, perceptions and behaviour of others, whether that’s in order to motivate us to be fit and healthy or show us how to apply make-up perfectly.

Then there are the brands we follow and our children are at the forefront of advertising campaigns and hashtag movements, which also influence the way they consume and purchase.

However, brands and influencers are directly impacting the way young people are thinking about themselves and they are using brand-made standards to measure their own value.

This is both sad and scary, because who can actually measure up to what they are experiencing in the digital space as worthy?

One brand that has impressed me and that has taken responsibility for their level of influence is DOVE.

The Dove Self-Esteem Project looks at how low body confidence and anxieties affect young people and Dove offers resources to help create positive body confidence and self-esteem. Have a look at the DOVE reverse the selfie video and then come back to see what role you can play.

Baby Yum Yum - Parenting Portal

What is the role of parents?

Let’s look at some of the most popular words first, because there are many ways to approach this when we talk to our children. However, we can easily put focus on the wrong thing, so here are some thoughts:

  • Self-esteem: how I see myself (subjective), my emotional state and my beliefs are mostly impacted by external factors. Very much focused on achievements.
  • Self-confidence: how I see my abilities, my weaknesses, and strengths. This impacts the expectations I set for myself and the way I manage feedback. The level of confidence I have in doing certain things that I am good at and, again, my level of achievement.
  • Self-acceptance: how I feel about and accept who I am. Usually influenced by external comparisons and achievements. 
  • Self-worth: having the internal sense of being worthy, loved and belonging. How we view our ‘worthiness’ of being loved, to belong and to be alive.

I always encourage parents to build a good and open relationship with their children. This is where YOU build the foundation that will either keep your children standing or let them fold under the pressure of social media and new digital expectations.

If your child knows (not just feels or thinks, but knows) that he/she is worthy, loved, chosen, accepted and liked by you, then their foundation of self-worth can be built daily.

It’s not a once-off chat, but rather a life-long series of reminding each other of your worth. In this way, their need to build their self-esteem, -confidence and -acceptance is satisfied by you instead of social media filters and trends.

So what?

There is a direct link and potentially devastating consequences to the way our children behave online based on their self-beliefs. Anxiety, depression, cyberbullying, self-harm and suicide can be fuelled by the people and content they are exposed to through the internet and on social media platforms (WhatsApp and other chat apps included).

Besides their self-worth, children need resilience and exit strategies to deal with the online challenges they face – will you be the one to guide them through their journey?

We are in this together

Digital parenting can feel like an isolated and lonely journey, however the good news is that we are actually all in this together. There are so many resources available to choose from and here are some to consider that are linked directly to our children and their online challenges:

  • Parental control apps to help you with screen time management, app permissions and location tracking: Kaspersky Safe Kids and Google Family Link are some of the apps I’ve tried and like.
  • Be alerted when your child might be in a cyberbullying situation, receives adult content or searches for inappropriate topics on the internet: FYI play it safe [use “cyberwellness” when you subscribe]
  • Education and interactive app to teach young people how to use social media safely: Klikd [use “Rianette” for a special discount]
  • Join me for my Digital Parenting webinars and Family Coaching Sessions (mail bookings@rianette.com)
  • To order my book “Raising a screen savvy child”, also available in Afrikaans
  • If you or your child are in cyber trouble, contact Help@SaveTNet.com

Travel safely in cyber space and remember your value is not determined by the likes you get, the number of friends you have or the filters you use, because you were marvellously and wonderfully made. Now go tell your child and make a deposit in their self-worth foundation.

August 17, 2021 0 comments
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Baby Yum Yum - keeping kids safe online the best parental control apps (1)
ParentingDigital ParentingExperts

Expert 6 Apps Every Parent Needs for Keeping Kids Safe Online

by Klikd, digital parenting July 26, 2021
written by Klikd, digital parenting

Keeping kids safe online: the best apps for parental control give parents peace of mind while children explore the digital world. With so many websites, games, and social media platforms, it’s easy to worry about what your child sees and does. Keeping kids safe online: the best apps for parental control can help you set limits, block inappropriate content, and track usage without taking away their freedom to learn and have fun. Written by Klikd, digital parenting.

It’s natural to want to protect your kids, but it’s not an easy task when they have access to the internet and all the potential dangers that come with it. So how do you find a parental control app that will help keep your child safe online?

There are a host of options available which provide a greater degree of control or monitoring. Your requirements will depend on the needs of your specific child. Co-founders of Klikd, Sarah and Pam, recommend doing a little research to find the one that really works best for you. Most reputable companies offer free trials which are worth taking advantage of to get a sense of whether the products address your specific needs, work with your existing devices, and feel manageable.

Parental control apps: where to start

At Klikd, we recommend installing the free software available on Apple products (Apple Screen Time) or Android (Google Family Link) as a good starting point. They have a decent set of functionalities available and if parents then find that these aren’t meeting their parental control needs, they might then consider one of the products below.

Life 360

Best for: Location sharing
This is a very simple but brilliant offering specifically for location sharing only. You can track the real tine location of various family members and get notified when they arrive at specific places. Note – this is only for location sharing and doesn’t perform other functions such as content blocking etc.

Keeping kids safe online: the best apps for parental control

Bark

Best for: monitoring messages without having to physically snoop
If you want the Rolls Royce of Parental controls, we recommend Bark, particularly if you have an at-risk child. Bark offers most of the typical screen time controls but what sets
Bark apart from the others is that is actually scans over 30 social media platforms to monitor text messages, emails, and social activity for signs of harmful interactions and content. Parents get automatic alerts via email and text when Bark’s algorithms detect potential risks, without having to snoop and comb through every post and text.

Keeping kids safe online: the best apps for parental control

Qustodio

Best for: YouTube monitoring and detailed usage reports
Qustodio offers a really comprehensive set of features including:
• Detailed reporting on which apps your child has been using and for how long,
• Time limits per DEVICE (some products only offer time limits per child)
• YouTube monitoring (see what your child searches for and watches on YouTube,
• Games and app blocking,
• Family locator,
• Call and text blocking for android, and
• A panic button for Android devices – this adds an SOS button to your child’s Android smartphone that sends you location-based alerts when there’s trouble.

Keeping kids safe online: the best apps for parental control

Mobicip

Best for: basic monitoring tools
Mobicip gives you the basic tools you need to monitor your children’s web and app activity including app blocking, screen time limits, location monitoring, blocking certain sites/ apps, view in usage reports. It does not include geofencing capabilities (notifying you where your child is etc.) so you would need to pair this with another tool such as Life 360 which does.

Keeping kids safe online: the best apps for parental control

CHECK OUT: Are South African Children Safe Online? What Parents Must Know

Kaspersky Safe Kids

Best for: most features but less control in some areas
Kaspersky does pretty much everything you might expect from a modern parental control app including app blocking, location monitoring (with geofencing), web filtering, and time management. It doesn’t offer as much control over some of these areas as competitors,
lacks browser-independent web-filtering, and doesn’t have safety extras such as an SOS button for emergencies. There is no limit on the number of devices or profiles.

Keeping kids safe online: the best apps for parental control

OurPact

Best for: multiple devices
OurPact boasts a really comprehensive offering of features including:
• Screen time limits,
• Multiple device management (manage up to 20 devices),
• Setting different rules for different apps – eg. some apps are allowed during study time and others are blocked.
• Setting a screen time budget/allowance
• Location tracking including geofencing (set an alert around a certain area whenever your child arrives/leaves)
• Comprehensive usage report viewing,
• Text blocking, and
• Web filtering

Keeping kids safe online: the best apps for parental control

Remember…

It’s important to keep in mind that our kids will always outsmart us when it comes to technology – you just need to Google “kids bypassing parental controls” to see what we mean. There is no such thing as “set it and forget it”. Parents should not think that once parental controls are set up, it’s all safe and their work is done. The best parental control out there is engaged, connected parents, whose kids know that they can land safely and softly with them.

ALSO READ THIS Roblox: What Parents Need to Know About Keeping Kids Safe Online

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Baby Yum Yum - At what age should you buy your child a smartphone
ParentingDigital ParentingExperts

Expert At What Age Should You Buy Your Child a Smartphone? Expert Advice

by Klikd, digital parenting July 23, 2021
written by Klikd, digital parenting

At what age should you buy your child a smartphone? It’s a question many parents wrestle with as technology becomes part of daily life. Considering factors like maturity, responsibility, and safety can help you decide the right time. By understanding at what age should you buy your child a smartphone, you can make choices that balance independence with protection. By Klikd, digital parenting.

At KLIKD we get asked this question daily! Device readiness is not about your child’s age. Device readiness is about your child’s maturity and accountability… how accountable is my child to him/herself, can they stand up for themselves in real life, can they support others when they are being treated unfairly or unkindly in real life?

How do they manage their schedule? Are they in a good sleep cycle, getting up and going to bed when agreed on in your family? The answers to these questions inform whether your child is ready for a phone far more easily (and truthfully) than saying, they must be ready now that they are 10.

Most importantly, as a parent you want to ask yourself if you are able to have an easy, comfortable conversation with your potential ‘screenager’ about the device ground rules, password sharing etc? Do you trust that your relationship with your child is solid enough for them to come to you when things online are a little tricky?

EEEK!! Should I allow my child to download the Apps his friends have?

Once your child has a phone, it is always first prize to download apps one at a time. So, if they want to be on a WhatsApp group, you would allow that first with you monitoring their engagement style, how they respond to others etc. Once you are comfortable you can add an app or two, ensuring that you check in with them and their way of relating to others.

Let them watch first!

At KLIKD we always suggest that, to begin with, younger kids just OBSERVE interactions before diving straight in. As a parent you can then ask how they might have dealt with situations before they actually put themselves out there. This gives you a chance to see if your child is really ‘app ready’. Of course, check out the age restrictions as guidelines too.

At what age should you buy your child a smartphone

Why are most parents buying their children smartphones?

“Please mom, all my friends have one” is the last sentence heard at night by most parents these days. Parents feel pressured by their children to get them a phone or hand over their old one when they upgrade. There’s no denying that the devices often act as fabulous baby sitters, especially during lockdown, so sharing your device with your child becomes challenging. Add to this our little ones manage to convince us it is their way of socialising now – “how else can I see my friends during Covid?” doesn’t really have an easy or satisfying answer for our tweens and so, too soon, our tweens have their own devices.

But we have to remember that we are giving our kids access to a powerful tool that can be used for good and not-so-good. When handing over that phone, even if it is because you felt pressured to do so, make sure that your child understands YOUR motives – that you want them to show up as kind, curious and engaged. We do not want our children to be passive consumers of content, but rather active and creative contributors. With this in mind, we suggest downloading our contract (you can find it here) – a fabulous ready-to-go document that you can stick on the fridge.

Do most parents download parental control monitoring apps?

Parents have good intentions but setting up controls frequently falls by the wayside. Many parents also feel a sense of trust that ‘it won’t happen to my child’ so they act on controls POST a crisis, rather than before. So, to put the basics in place, we suggest you follow KLIKD’s basic guide to control management.

Remember, although parental controls can certainly help in putting in place screen time limits, making explicit content harder to come across, when it comes to tech our kids will in most cases, outsmart us. The best parental control app is connected, engaged parents. Lastly, check out our video on ‘Can I check on my child’s phone?’ for clarity on issues around contracting, privacy, Finstagram accounts, etc.

Are there any signs or signals that would suggest a child is NOT ready for the responsibility of a smartphone?

The obvious sign for us at KLIKD is if they are not managing psycho-social situations offline. So, if a young girl finds it hard to socialise, or feels ‘less than’ some of her friends, you may want to work on building self-esteem offline before allowing her to go online.

Similarly, if impulse control is hard offline, it will be worse online. If time management is already a struggle, having a device will not improve it. Help your child to know that once they have mastered tasks that show responsibility, like getting up on time for example, you will feel more ready to consider getting them a phone.

Anything else a parent should consider when choosing whether or not to give their child a smartphone?

Controls are important, but connection and conversation will always trump device management. You can’t just set it and forget it. If your child believes that you will be the supportive and assisting parent before the judgmental and angry parent then they will come to you throughout the cycle of learning to own a device responsibly. Things will go wrong at some point and the relationship is the real protecting factor online.

READ NEXT: 5 Signs Your Child is Ready for a Smartphone: When is the Right Time?

We have to keep the conversations flowing; we have to talk about the good, the bad and the ugly in a light, non-judgmental way. This ensures that our children will come to us when mistakes happen.

Check out The KLIKD app (you can download it by clicking here), which helps kids learn how to manage their new online life safely, happily and with tech savvy! It covers all the areas we want our children to be aware of in a fun, accessible way for tweens AND it comes with parent conversation starters on all the hard topics like WhatsApp exclusion, bullying, finding porn on your phone – to ensure parents can keep the chats flowing.

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Baby Yum Yum - Good digital habits for you (and the kids!) and how to manage your screen time
Digital ParentingExpertsHealth & Wellness

Expert How to Build Good Digital Habits for You (and the Kids!)

by Rianette Leibowitz, Cyber Safety & Digital Parenting Thought Leader, Brand South Africa Play Your Part Ambassador and founder of SaveTNet Cyber Safety November 9, 2020
written by Rianette Leibowitz, Cyber Safety & Digital Parenting Thought Leader, Brand South Africa Play Your Part Ambassador and founder of SaveTNet Cyber Safety

Good digital habits for you (and the kids!) and how to manage your screen time is essential in today’s tech-driven world. With screens everywhere, it’s easy to lose track of how much time we spend online, whether for work, entertainment, or learning. However, developing healthy digital habits can make all the difference. Creating a balanced approach to screen time is vital for both adults and children. By setting boundaries, scheduling offline activities, and leading by example, you can foster healthier relationships with technology in your family. Written by Rianette Leibowitz, Cyber Safety & Digital Parenting Thought Leader, Brand South Africa Play Your Part Ambassador and founder of SaveTNet Cyber Safety.

Our online and offline worlds have officially merged. We are learning, communicating, connecting, staying up to date, exercising, socialising and enjoying entertainment through screens, which opens so many exciting avenues to explore. But, without realising it, we are spending more and more time online looking at screens.

How to manage your digital life better

The best place to start is to look at your priorities to set your own digital boundaries with the aim of managing your digital habits.

1. Set boundaries

Your time is precious and our relationships should be a priority. As your children grow older and get to the age where they are allowed to use social media (usually 12 plus), you need to instil good digital habits and boundaries for them from the first time you put a device in their hands.

We can’t expect children to be responsible digital citizens if we don’t teach them how to behave online. Just as we teach them to have good table manners, we need to teach them acceptable online behaviour. They need to understand age restrictions and the community rules of the different platforms they use.

ALSO READ: Have you lost control of your digital habits?

2. Be #CyberSavvy

Children need cyber-savvy parents and adults to guide them through their online journey and identity development. Understand the risks and the pitfalls. Implement the needed security measures and parental control apps. Look at the settings on their devices to ensure that they only see age-appropriate content. And set screen time limits!

Have regular conversations to become part of their digital lives. In my book “Raising a screen savvy child” I addressed 50 topics for you to explore (yes there are so many!) and I want to encourage you to learn as much as you can for your own and your children’s safety.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Digital Parenting: How to Filter and Protect Kids Online

giphy - BabyYumYum

3. Device-free dinners

I have helped many cybercrime victims and the people who had strong relationships with their children, had a solid foundation to build on and to guide their children through tough times. Having dinner together, without any devices, affords you the opportunity to really connect with your loved ones, to ask questions about your child’s online world and to stay involved. Yes, the conversations have changed from what you might have been used to as a child, but you have the opportunity ask questions like:

    1. Did anything funny happen or what funny videos did you watch?
    2. Who did you play with online today?
    3. Have you made any new online friends and tell us more about them?
    4. Did someone rage in your game?
    5. Has anyone asked you strange questions online?
    6. What new apps have you installed?
    7. I would love to see your photos after dinner and any videos you’ve created.

This opens up conversation and you have a chance to look at their devices. So have a special place where the devices go for their own dinner party and switch them to silence, because those annoying notifications will interfere.

4. Practice what you preach

This might be more challenging that you think, because we have become so used to having our phones with us all the time that we unlock the screen without even thinking about it.

Perhaps you need to set your own screen time limits and do regular digital detox. Start with a good digital declutter. 

5. Take control

Remember that you can choose how you spend your time and who enjoys your attention. Be aware of how you are guided from one post or video to the next and think before you click. If you connect to a screen, think of your reason and get that reason done. Instead of going down the never-ending rabbit hole and losing hours of your day without being able to account for what you actually achieved.

Consider the wellbeing of your body, your people, your pets and your commitments. Unfortunately we need to acknowledge that digital addiction is a real threat and could be closer to home than we realise.

CHECK OUT: Parents, Hiding Your Child’s Face With Emojis Still Isn’t Safe

giphy - BabyYumYum

YOU HAVE A CHOICE! STAY IN CONTROL of your own time and help your children to manage theirs. 

Connect with Rianette on Instagram and on Facebook. Visit www.rianette.com for more information.

ALSO READ: Tech and Teenagers – 10 Screen-Time Rules That Work for South African Parents

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Baby Yum Yum - When is the right time to get your child a smartphone
Digital ParentingParentingSchool-Age Children

5 Signs Your Child is Ready for a Smartphone: When is the Right Time?

by BabyYumYum (Supplied) August 16, 2019
written by BabyYumYum (Supplied)

When is the right time to get your child a smartphone? It’s a question many parents face as their kids grow and become more tech-savvy. While it may seem like a simple decision, there are several factors to consider before handing over a smartphone to your child. From their maturity level to how well they manage screen time, it’s important to make sure they’re ready for the responsibility. The decision should be made carefully, keeping in mind both the pros and cons of introducing a smartphone into their daily life. There is no one-size-fits-all answer, but with the right guidance, you can make an informed choice for your family.

Technology has become a way of life, a necessity we simply can’t, or won’t, do without. As we prepare for smart cities of the future and allow our children access to technology for learning and communication purposes, the question most parents ask is “when is the right time to get your child a smartphone?”

“This is a difficult question because early childhood development differs from child to child, but what is important to note is that being digitally savvy at an early age will be advantageous in the long run,” says Michelle Beetar, Cell C Chief Customer Experience Officer.

“The smart-city future envisages that careers in the next era do not even exist at this point in time. What we do know is that technology is a key factor in jobs of the future, so allowing your child to gain digital skills will be crucial to her/him in the future,” Beetar continues.

However, owning a smartphone should come with certain limits and responsibilities to ensure that children are protected against predators and cyberbullying.

According to author Emma Sadleir in her book Selfies, Sexts and Smartphones, thousands of people (adults and children) fall into the trap of chatting and giving out too much personal information in the online space. It is therefore extremely important for children to understand why they should not be communicating with strangers and why they should be very careful with the information they share online. In Sadleir’s book, she lists strong privacy settings and turning off location services as crucial practices.

In the online article ‘When should you get your kid a phone?’ published on The Child Mind Institute (a non-profit organisation that helps children with learning disorders and mental health) says that by the time your child is 10 to 12, they will ask for a phone. Although this may be of concern to some parents, there are many advantages to this. Child experts say it’s not a question about the right age, but rather the rite of passage.

“I tell parents that it’s not so much about a particular age as it is about a kid’s social awareness and understanding of what the technology means,” says Jerry Bubrick, a clinical psychologist at the institute.

“…it’s not so much about a particular age as it is about a kid’s social awareness and understanding of what the technology means.”

He recommends the following factors be considered when purchasing a smart phone for a child:

  • How often does your child lose things? If they misplace things constantly, it might be worth purchasing a cheaper smartphone.
  • How well does your child handle money?
  • Consider how easily your child picks up on social cues? If they are slow to catch on, this could be aggravated in texting or social media conversations.
  • How well will your child cope with limits to screen time?
young-preschooler-girl-happily-using-smartphone-device

Image: pan xiaozhen/Unsplash

Basic tips when purchasing a smartphone for a child

  1. Set guidelines: Before you give your child a phone, sit them down and explain what can and cannot be used on the device. It may be worthwhile to draw up a little contract between yourself, as the parent, and your child, as recommended by creative parenting expert, Nikki Bush. Such a document will set out the responsibilities for both parties to comply. 
  1. Education on data charges: Set monthly monetary limits. You may need to provide guidance on what data charges are, and how much it costs for games and apps. 
  1. Social media and strangers: If your child is under 13, they should not be on social media. With messaging apps like WhatsApp, they need to be advised on the dangers of communicating with strangers and about sending pictures of themselves to other people, even if they are known to the family – there is an over-16 age restriction on WhatsApp and an over-13 age restriction on all other social media platforms. 
  1. Inappropriate communication: Parents should assist their children by providing guidance on what is appropriate content to send and what is not.  
  1. Set limits on screen time: The recommended screen time for children is two hours per day. Before buying the device, make sure your child has agreed to follow your screen time limits. 

Also read:

Best Way to Manage Screen Time at Home
5 Non-Screen Activities for Your Kids to Enjoy Today

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Your right to parent your child trumps their right to online privacy
ParentingDigital Parenting

Why Your Right to Parent Your Child Outweighs Their Online Privacy

by Atiyya Gardee January 9, 2019
written by Atiyya Gardee

Your right to parent your child trumps their right to online privacy. As parents, we want to protect our children from harm in every area of their lives, especially in the digital world. With the internet becoming an integral part of their daily routine, it’s more important than ever for parents to step in and guide their children through their online activities. While privacy is a concern for both parents and children, ensuring their safety online should take precedence. Atiyya Gardee explores why your role as a parent should include monitoring your child’s online presence, while still respecting their growing sense of privacy.

The recently launched Google Family Link is an app that allows you to monitor your children’s online activity, set perimeters and even remotely lock their devices. But are apps needed to ensure our children’s online safety, or should we trust them enough to be able to make good digital decisions?

In September 2017, a Miss Teen SA Instagram account offered girls the chance of a lifetime: a modelling contract, fame and fantastic prize money. Girls entered and many received a message notifying them that it was believed they could win the contest. They were asked to send in more pics. First, of their hands. Then of themselves in a bikini. Then without a bikini.

Parents became involved and hired a forensic team who traced the account to a paedophile in Johannesburg, who now had pics of their daughters. Sun International, organisers of the real Miss South Africa contest, warned that this contest was fake. But online, fake and fact are hard to tell apart.

Digital downhill

Predators and paedophiles may be every parents’ nightmare, but they are only the beginning of the minefields that may exist online.

“Kids are growing up in a digital era and there is stuff they are getting involved in that we will not understand, while they have a natural instinct for it,” says Hayley Walker, Chairperson of Protective Behaviours Southern Africa, an organisation dedicated to equipping children with the values-based skills they need to feel safe both online and in person.

“The minute they are networked, however, even via an online game, they are at risk. It may not only be a predator, but could even be a child on the other side introducing other children to pornography. And porn rewires the developing brain.”

“As the first generation of parents to raise an online generation of children, many of us are grappling to find our balance and rules; especially as such perimeters are pushed back faster than we can contend with.”

“It takes only two minutes to create an account,” says Sarah Hoffman,  an attorney and Business Development Manager at The Digital Law Company,  founded by well-known lawyer, speaker and author, Emma Sadleir. “People are often not who they say they are. And your digital footprint can be traced back to your location.”

The Digital Law Company is South Africa’s thought leader on matters relating to social media law and the law.  As a legal consultancy, it provides consulting services and strategic advice on all matters to do with social media and the law. A large part of the business is educating parents, educators and children on the risks that may exist online.

“Many of the problems we see when it comes to long-term reputational and legal consequences of using social media could so easily have been prevented,” says Hoffman.

New generation, new needs

As the first generation of parents to raise an online generation of children, many of us are grappling to find our balance and rules, especially when such perimeters are pushed back faster than we can contend with. We are learning the rules as we go, and the terrain is often a minefield of contention between us and our tweens and teens.

“Parents of today are either Generation X  or Generation Y –  and who were raised by a generation of parents who were not exposed to the internet,” says Marc Hadwick, the developer of The Guardian, an app designed to reduce the crimes against children by allowing them to report abuse or risks anonymously. “I learned to engage with others from the way I saw my parents engage. I saw my father lock up and we had an alarm. But my father never had to safeguard me from an online predator.”

Hadwick has the kind of job that we all respect but appreciate that someone else is taking care of for us. “I catch paedophiles and throw them in jail,’ he says.

As founder of a company that is at the forefront of child protection from both a reactive and proactive perspective, Hadwick takes a common-sense approach to protecting children. “The same basic principles of safeguarding your child in the real world apply to the cyber world.  Know where your children are. What are the risks if your daughter hops into a taxi alone and goes to the mall and spends three hours there compared to the risks if you take her yourself and engage with her? Now change the word mall for Instagram. When your child figuratively leaves the house for the cyber world, we do not know who they are talking to or that those people are who they say they are. If we apply the real-world rules to the cyber world, we will be 80% closer towards protecting our children.”

Sadleir, in her experience with advising clients who have either been the victims of social media abuse or who have used social media badly, confirms this. “Being popular on Instagram is the same as being rich in monopoly.  If you would not have them in your house, why give them access to your private information?”

What about the right to privacy?

“If you come home and find your child is in the lounge having sex with a stranger, would you take control of the situation or say I am sorry for violating your privacy?” asks Hadwick. “If they do not want you in that world, they can’t have it. That is basic parenting. This information is not rocket science. By law, everything that belongs to them belongs to you, so own it.”

“Know what is going on over the phone; when your child wants the phone, they will jump through any hoop to get it. Tell your child, ‘if you want the phone, I will always be able to look at it. I will be friends on any group you are on’. Too many parents today have lowered their standards in an attempt to be buddies with their children. But if you are their friend, then who is their parent?”

While Hadwick’s views may seem harsh, his past experience as a policeman working in the child protection unit and currently as the developer of The Guardian, ensure that his views are backed by not only research but raw experience. “The only deterrent to an online predator is an involved parent.”

“As a parent, I believe I have two duties,” says Alida Engelbrecht, an admin manager working from home. “Firstly, is to love my children unconditionally; secondly, to keep them physically and spiritually safe until they are able to do it themselves. Social media falls under the second category.”

“I do not see it as invading their privacy because nothing you share on any social media page is private. If they want to be private, they can get a diary and hide it under their mattress; I will not read that. However, we have a policy of no social media secrets in our house.”

What apps to use

Our problem is not that there are no apps and filters to monitor content, but many of us struggle to know which ones to use and how to use them. We need to open the discussion about online safety as a community of parents.

“We use Kaspersky Safe Kids to filter as well as monitor,” says Elaine Palmer. “We don’t allow our kids to watch YouTube in their bedrooms, so I have used Kaspersky to disable YouTube on their phones, both the app and via the browsers. They have access to two laptops in our family area, which Kaspersky also filters for adult content, but it does not block Youtube. So, they have access to YouTube, just not in their bedrooms.”

“It also allows me to see what websites they visit, and it gives me an overview of how long they use their devices and what apps are used for what length of time. When I tell my son that he has overused Instagram today, I can show him exactly by how many hours or minutes he overused it. And if the problem persists, I can set it to block him after he’s used up the allotted time, or even block it entirely for a period of time.”

“This is not my chosen course of action as I would prefer them to self-monitor, but it is an option I like to be able to use from time to time. If they want to visit a website and Kaspersky blocks them, they can request permission and I get a notification on my phone, and can grant permission,” Palmer concludes.

“As homework and studies increasingly call for online research, not allowing any access to the internet may not be a viable, or wise, option. “Using Google Family Link, we can ensure that our children read websites we direct them to and we task them with reading at least one news article a day that then becomes dinnertime conversation,” says Shamilla Patel, a school teacher.

“My husband tracks their online activity regularly and should there be a little too much online activity on any one day or too much of social media time, then the device gets locked from wherever he is.”

Paranoid versus prepared parenting

“Having done the work that I have done and seen the devastation that can come from an abduction versus the damage that we do when we are paranoid, I would rather be the parent that people say is paranoid than the parent whose child is missing,” says Hadwick.

“Psychologists may say that there are consequences to helicopter parenting, but the dysfunction that comes from being a guarded parent pales in comparison to the dysfunction of having a missing child.”

“We take the view that a parent has the right to know what their children are doing on their phones,” says Sadleir. Her firm has prepared a well-through-out contract for teens regarding social media usage that could be a starting point for a partnership based on trust. “Nothing can replace good communication with your child, especially your teenager,” adds Hoffman.

“While apps can make it a safer and healthier experience online, there will always be a new app coming out. There is no measure you can take to ensure their safety than can replace good conversations and good discussions – and the safe space for children to speak to you especially if they have messed up or are being bullied. No algorithm can replace open communication.”

ALSO READ THIS Roblox: What Parents Need to Know About Keeping Kids Safe Online

BabyYumYum FAQ’s: Why Your Right to Parent Your Child Outweighs Their Online Privacy

Is it really okay to monitor my child’s online activity?

Yes. As a parent or guardian, you have a legal and moral responsibility to keep your child safe. While privacy is important, online safety takes priority, especially in a world where harmful content and predators are only a click away.

Doesn’t my child deserve some online privacy?

They do but privacy should grow with age and maturity. Young children and pre-teens lack the judgement to always make safe decisions online. Parental oversight isn’t spying, it’s protecting.

How can I monitor without breaking trust?

Be honest. Tell your child from the start that you’ll check their devices and online activity regularly. Let them know it’s not about punishment but keeping them safe. Clear, upfront expectations help build trust not secrecy.

What dangers might my child face online?

Children face risks such as:

  • Cyberbullying
  • Grooming and exploitation
  • Inappropriate content
  • Addiction to social media
  • Exposure to misinformation

Without guidance, they may unknowingly place themselves or your family at risk.

Isn’t it better to wait until there’s a problem?

No. Proactive parenting prevents problems. Waiting for something to go wrong may be too late. Establishing digital rules and boundaries early gives your child tools and support to handle challenges confidently.

What’s a good age to start checking devices?

Start as soon as your child has access to digital devices. Use age-appropriate supervision and gradually give more independence as they demonstrate responsible behaviour online.

Will checking their chats or search history damage the relationship?

Only if done in secret or aggressively. Be transparent about your involvement. Your child may resist at times, but over time, they’ll see that your role is to guide and protect.

How can I balance supervision with teaching responsibility?

Involve your child in setting digital rules. Talk about why certain apps are off-limits or why time limits exist. Let them earn more privacy as they show they can handle it responsibly.

What should I do if my child hides their online activity?

Stay calm. Don’t panic or overreact. Open up a conversation about trust and safety. Explain why honesty matters and that you’re on the same team when it comes to staying safe online.

Are there legal protections for parents in South Africa?

Yes. In South Africa, the Children’s Act allows parents and guardians to take reasonable steps to ensure the safety and wellbeing of children including online. It supports your right to supervise and intervene when needed.

What message should I give my child about online safety?

Tell them: “My job is to protect you, even if that means setting boundaries you don’t always like. I love you too much to let you face the internet alone.” Make it clear that love, not control, drives your actions.

 

Disclaimer: This content provides general parenting guidance and should not replace legal or psychological advice. Always tailor your supervision approach based on your child’s age, maturity, and individual needs.

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Why Your Digital Fingerprint Matters More Than You Think
ExpertsDigital Parenting

Expert Why Your Digital Fingerprint Matters More Than You Think

by Rianette Leibowitz, Cyber Safety & Digital Parenting Thought Leader, Brand South Africa Play Your Part Ambassador and founder of SaveTNet Cyber Safety August 3, 2018
written by Rianette Leibowitz, Cyber Safety & Digital Parenting Thought Leader, Brand South Africa Play Your Part Ambassador and founder of SaveTNet Cyber Safety

Every time you go online, you leave behind tiny traces of who you are. This collection of data is known as your digital fingerprint, and it builds with every search, click and post. While it can seem invisible, the information shapes how companies, apps and even strangers see you. Understanding your digital fingerprint helps you stay in control, protecting both your privacy and your future opportunities, writes Rianette Leibowitz, Cyber Safety & Digital Parenting Thought Leader, Brand South Africa Play Your Part Ambassador and founder of SaveTNet Cyber Safety.

Often, we see upsetting and disturbing viral videos, which didn’t only create a frenzy but also impacted many lives negatively. The question is, did you share, like, retweet or comment on these videos? If you have, then, unfortunately, you are part of the distribution channel.

Navigating the cyber highway and experiencing the wonderful world of social media offers both opportunities and threats. How do we navigate our actions and how do we exist in online space?

We need to learn to become a responsible digital citizenship

A responsible digital citizen abides by the community rules of the platforms they use, considers the younger users on the platforms and is sensitive to the fact that all religions, races and cultures are being represented online. At SaveTNet, we say that your fingerprint is being used to either make someone’s day or break their heart, so we need to consider what the impact will be on our digital footprint.

“The moment you are involved in any way or form, you become part of the distribution channel and could have legal implications.”

Let’s talk about a real-life example and delve deeper into what we, as digital citizens, should consider before, during and after we experience situations we want to share with the world …
The following is a scenario of a video that went viral recently:

Two adults started a conversation, which turned into an argument at a restaurant. Another person (at the table next to this) decided to film the argument. This then became a heated and quite rude argument with bad language and aggressive behaviour. The sad part is that there were young kids at the same table who must have been very frightened. It is obvious in the video that the staff of the restaurant and other diners were concerned, but not sure how to intervene or help. This happens not just at restaurants; people argue all the time but the difference here is that someone decided to share this one on social media platforms.

What a responsible digital citizen should do:

Let’s look at the different role players and perhaps you can identify with one of them:

1. The person who recorded the video

  • It is good to have video footage for evidence purposes.
  • However, many people reach for their phones instead of reaching out.
  • This behaviour could be driven by a need to record footage that could secure the person more likes (you get “likeaholics”).

What you need to consider when you are the one recording the video

  • Who are you exposing in the video?
  • Do you have their permission? Especially when kids are involved.
  • Is it okay for you to record this or is it against the law? E.g.: a crime scene, accident scene or potentially putting anyone at risk?
  • Are you able to help the people instead of being the bystander recording someone being bullied, hurt or in pain?
  • Will this video damage any brands and associated brands?

2. The person who recorded/shared the video or took the photo

When you share that video, have you considered that the incident happened and that the people involved might have had a separate conversation and made peace?

Before you hit the SHARE button, remember that viral videos such as this result in:

  • People losing their jobs.
  • Kids who need to face their friends at school or who could be bullied because of what did.
  • If it is an accident scene, loved ones could get a big shock to find out via social media that their family/friends have been in accidents.
  • Shocking other users of the platforms. Some content may not be age-appropriate or it could upset people. For instance, videos of abused animals.
  • Brands being damaged and dragged into something that could have been contained.
  • This could become part of a defamation case and could lead to more serious consequences.

3. The people in the video

  • Their reputations will be tarnished. Their behaviour might have been unacceptable and out of line, but do we have the right to punish them and throw stones by sharing the incident online?
  • Again, the person could lose their job.
  • Relatives and associates disconnecting from this person resulting in rejection.
  • It will never go away! It will always be part of their digital footprint whether they gave permission or not. Even the kids and the innocent bystanders have now been involved and made part of something that will live online forever.
  • We have seen in the past how people have made mistakes by saying something out of line on social media platforms and then receive death threats.
  • What about the man’s wife who stayed calm and who also needs to deal with the humiliation over and over again?
  • The people who have shared, commented and reacted to the video will carry on with their lives. However, long after they have moved on, the people in the video will still pick off the pieces.
  • Is this what that person should receive because someone wanted to spread a viral video?

4. The people who are sharing, commenting and responding

It is important to remember that the moment you are involved in any way or form, you become part of the distribution channel and could have legal implications. By sharing it, we are breaking down all the wonderful work that is being done to build our nation, to create positivity and to be more respectful.

SaveTNet tip for responsible digital citizenship?

If you see something online, don’t get hooked in. Consider carefully if you are willing to put your name next to it and then THINK before you post.

CHECK OUT: Parents, Hiding Your Child’s Face With Emojis Still Isn’t Safe

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