Safer Internet Day: India, save you children from online abuse

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Safer Internet Day: India, save
you children from online abuse
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One in four teenagers suffered online hate last year according to a survey. It also revealed that more than 80% youngsters have seen online hate in the last 12 months.

A survey of 13 to 18 year olds found that over 24% have reported being targetted online based on their gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, disability or even transgender identity. These alarming findings must ring a bell for parents on Safer Internet Day.

Business Insider India sat down with Ola Jo Tandre, Head of Social Responsibility, Telenor Group to understand how Indian parents can help make the internet safer for their kids.

How can we make the internet a safer place for children?
Young people are the most vulnerable group, and they deserve our special attention.

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We have to work with children and educate them about the pitfalls and dangers in the online world.

Children want to explore. We have to accept that. We should certainly create some barriers and technical mechanisms, but the most important are the filters they have in their minds.

Do you think online parental control works?
The can, up to a certain extent.

What you need are parents who are sufficiently informed about what tools to use. You can’t put in place certain controls, and step back and allow your child to navigate by themselves. You need to be involved in your child’s digital lives, just as you would be for any other aspect of their lives.

How do you regulate the online behavior of a 10 year old?
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For the younger children it might make sense to limit what they can access online.

As they grow up they are ready for more responsibility, and more access.

You have to ensure they get the critical information about how to protect themselves. You can’t just regulate your way out of this!

Where does a parent draw the line?
You can’t make any firm age limits. As children grow up there’ll be differences based on how their parents monitor them, and the environment they’re in.

It’s important to nurture their own sensitivity and understanding, and ensure they understand there’s no difference between a social media platform and face-to-face conversation.
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Your advice to the ‘one-click granny porn’ generation.
The internet is an extremely powerful technology, and it opens up enormous possibilities. Most of these are of positive nature.

You must find someone you trust to tell you what the dangers are. That way if you do have a negative experience, you have someone to turn to. It could be any adult, even an anonymous helpline.

Also, don’t be too trusting. The content you’re putting out online may be there indefinitely.

Image credit: Indiatimes