Recently, more and more handheld devices such as smart phones and tablets have become so common for everyday use. Together with the already ubiquitous PC, our access to information from the Internet or World Wide Web has never been so easy. One of the drawbacks is that even our children have ready access, and if we are not careful they can just as well easily fall prey or victim to the unpleasant and unwholesome things that are also unfortunately featured and done online.
The most obvious materials to watch out for are pornography, violence, hate, crime, drug and alcohol abuse. Through the internet, children get easily exposed to these offensive materials. Although in the beginning it may just be due to curiosity or unintentional clicking on pop-ups and ads, if this is not stopped the children can get hooked or addicted. Truly unsound, these materials are not appropriate even for mature individuals and adults alike.
Another thing to consider is internet piracy. Because children can readily access these gadgets, they get to learn about the features quite quickly. For children who become internet savvy, basic know-how of downloading pirated material like movies, music and computer programs can easily be learned. And there are a lot of websites that promote this activity.
Still, the worst thing that you should be wary about is the personal safety of the child. Online predation from pedophiles, etc. has become increasingly alarming due to the rise in popularity of social media. Teenagers nowadays consider sites like Twitter and Facebook as integral parts of their lives. And there are reports of children and teenagers who receive unwanted sexual solicitations through these websites. Children are now at greater risk because these predators can access personal information through these social media. And without the supervision or guidance of a parent or adult, children may not be able to discern which personal information should not be readily shared on the web.
It is thus our role as adults and parents to provide the necessary protection so our children remain safe while enjoying the internet.