Level Up Your Parenting

Every click, post, and share leaves a trace. Your child's digital footprint is a collection of their online activity, and it can stick around for a long time. It's important to teach your child to be mindful of their digital footprint, as it can have lasting consequences.

For younger children: Explain that the things they post online can be seen by many people, including their teachers, family friends, and even future employers. Help them understand that sharing unkind words or embarrassing photos can hurt others' feelings and may be hard to take back later. Just like words written in pen, what they put online can leave a lasting mark that's difficult to erase. Additionally, explain that what they post online can shape how others see them. If they share things that are mean or inappropriate, people might think they are unkind or not trustworthy.

For teens: Discuss how universities and employers often look at social media profiles to learn more about applicants. Explain that posts that show inappropriate behaviour, illegal activities, or hateful speech can negatively impact their chances of getting accepted or hired. What they post online today can become a permanent part of their digital record, shaping how others see them in the future. Encourage them to think about how they want to be perceived online and to curate a positive digital image.

Protecting your child's personal information is crucial. If their information falls into the wrong hands, it could be used for fraudulent activities or to track their movements. Teach them to be cautious about sharing sensitive details like their full name, address, telephone number, or school name online. Help them understand the importance of strong privacy settings on social media and other platforms. Regularly review and update these settings together. For instance, show your child how to adjust their privacy settings on Instagram so only approved friends can see their posts and stories. Explain why it's important to avoid accepting friend requests from strangers.

Top Tip:

• Regularly update privacy settings: Make it a monthly "tech check-in" to go over privacy settings on social media, gaming platforms, and apps. Enable two-factor authentication wherever possible to add an extra layer of security.
• Strong passwords are key: Help your child create a password that's like a secret code – a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. For younger children, try a fun phrase like "ILovePizza4Dinner!"

Cyber-bullying is using digital platforms—such as social media, messaging apps, and online forums—to harass, threaten, or cause harm to others. This harmful behaviour can manifest in various ways, including spreading rumours, making hurtful comments, or sharing private photos and videos without consent. The consequences of cyber-bullying can be devastating, leading to anxiety, depression, and even suicide.

Top Tip:

• Open communication is your superpower: Let your child know they can always come to you if they're being bullied online
• Teach them to block and report:Show them how to use the tools on social media and gaming platforms to block bullies and report abusive behaviour.
• Don't engage: If your child is being cyber-bullied, advise them not to respond to the bully, as engaging can escalate the situation
• Document the bullying: Keep records of any evidence of the bullying, such as screenshots or saved messages. This information can be important when reporting the incident

• In the UAE, you have allies: You can report cyberbullying to the Ministry of Education’s Child Protection Unit (80085) or the Ministry of Interior’s Child Protection Centre (116111). You can also email CPU@moe.gov.ae or submit a report on the eCRIME platform at http://www.ecrime.ae

The internet is full of tempting offers, but not all of them are genuine. Phishing scams, malware, and deceptive advertising can trick children into giving away personal information or downloading harmful software. This can lead to financial loss, identity theft, and damage to devices. Teach your child to be a savvy online detective.

Top Tip:

• Play "Spot the Scam": Show your child examples of phishing emails or fake websites. Ask them to point out the red flags, like misspellings, urgent requests for information, or promises of free stuff.
• The "Too Good to Be True" Test: If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is! Encourage your child to ask you before clicking on any suspicious links or sharing personal information
• Educate about phishing and malware: Explain that phishing is when attackers disguise themselves as trustworthy entities to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information. Malware is harmful software designed to damage devices or steal data.

The digital world is exciting, but it's important to help your child find a healthy balance. Excessive screen time can lead to sleep problems, difficulty concentrating, and a lack of physical activity. It can also hinder social development and lead to isolation.

Top Tip:

• Create a family media plan: Set clear limits on screen time and stick to them. Consider using kids' modes available on streaming platforms like Netflix and Prime Video to ensure children access age-appropriate content. YouTube Kids is also a great option, as it filters out inappropriate content tailored for younger audiences.
• Encourage offline activities: Make time for family game nights, outdoor adventures, or creative projects
• Lead by example: Show your child that you value real-world interactions by putting away your own devices and engaging with them fully.

Parental controls are like a safety net for your child's online experience. They can help you filter inappropriate content, manage screen time, and monitor your child's online activity. Not utilising parental controls can expose children to harmful content, cyber-bullying, and online predators.

Top Tip:

• Explore the options: Many internet service providers and devices offer parental control features. Research and choose the ones that best suit your family's needs
• Customise settings: Tailor the controls to your child's age and maturity level Regularly review and adjust: As your child grows, their online needs and interests will change. Keep the conversation open and adjust the controls accordingly

Not all online content is created equal. Help your child navigate towards age-appropriate games, apps, websites, films, and TV programs. Exposure to inappropriate content can be harmful to a child's development and can lead to anxiety, fear, and confusion. It's crucial to educate yourself and your child about age restrictions. Many platforms have age requirements to protect minors from potential online risks.

Top Tip:

• Check the ratings: Look for age ratings on games, apps, films, and TV programmes. Familiarise yourself with the rating systems used in the UAE and discuss them with your child.
• Read reviews: See what other parents and experts are saying about the content. Many websites and online communities offer reviews and discussions about the appropriateness of media for different age groups.
• Talk about it: Discuss the content with your child. If they've seen something upsetting online, be open to talking about it and helping them process their feelings.
• Use parental controls on streaming platforms: Services like Netflix, Prime Video, and Twitch offer kids' modes and parental controls to filter out inappropriate content. YouTube Kids is also a great option, as it filters out inappropriate content tailored for younger audiences.
• Monitor the content of games your child plays: Ensure they engage with age-appropriate and non-violent content. Many games have online features that expose children to interactions with strangers, so it's important to be aware of these features and set appropriate boundaries.
• Discuss the risks of live streaming platforms: Platforms like Twitch can expose children to inappropriate content, including violence, hate speech, and sexually suggestive material. Talk to your child about the potential risks and help them understand how to report any inappropriate behaviour they encounter
• Set rules for gaming chat rooms: Explain the importance of not sharing personal information in chat rooms and discuss the potential for encountering cyber-bullying or harassment. Encourage your child to tell you if they experience any negative interactions online

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing the digital landscape, and it's important to be aware of the potential risks it poses to children. Deepfakes, which are manipulated videos or audio that can make someone appear to say or do things they didn't, and voice replication technology, which can mimic someone's voice, are two examples of AI tools that can be misused to spread misinformation, harass others, or even commit fraud. For example, a deepfake video could be created to make it look like your child is bullying someone, or a voice replication tool could be used to impersonate them in a phone call..

Top Tip:

• Talk about deepfakes and voice replication: Explain to your child how these technologies work and why it's important to be critical of what they see and hear online. Discuss the potential consequences of creating or sharing deepfakes, such as harming someone's reputation or spreading false information
• Encourage scepticism: Teach your child to question the authenticity of videos and audio recordings, especially if they seem unusual or out of character for the person depicted. Help them understand that not everything they see or hear online is real
• Discuss the potential harm: Explain how deepfakes and voice replication can be used to spread false information, damage reputations, and manipulate emotions. Share examples of how these technologies have been misused in the past
• Promote media literacy: Help your child develop the skills to evaluate online content critically and distinguish between real and fake information. Encourage them to look for reliable sources and to verify information before sharing it with others