Defend Your Children against Online Predators

Kids are fascinated by Internet and even more exciting is the fact that they are extremely skilled when it comes to using a computer. There is no funnier or easier instrument to make friends, play games or exchange data both for school and entertainment purposes. Nonetheless, children, parents and teachers should never overlook the dangers the great WWW poses: online predators, cyber bullies and con artists, to name only a few.

Online predators should not be regarded as someone else's problem. "They can become your problem, too," warns Catalin Cosoi, Senior Researcher at BitDefender® "if you don't obey some simple safety guidelines meant to protect your children and your family as a whole" he added.

Children can become naive targets for corrupted individuals who aim at using them for pornographic, financial or other illegal purposes. Fortunately, these undesirable repercussions can and should be easily avoided by children, parents and teachers once they decide to join hands for a common cause.

Tips for Children / Teens:

• Be smart and selective! Don't allow the computer to take over your life, affect your school performance, or to replace quality time with friends and family;
• Allow your parents to become your friends. Always communicate with them and let them know what is new in your lives;
• When you create an account for a social online community, use the privacy protection features; compile a list of trustworthy individuals who you will grant permission to contact you safely together with parents and teachers;
• Do not share information about you and your family with people you don't know and trust; pay great attention to the photos and videos you choose to upload as - once they are published on the Internet - you will not be able to fully control them;
• Don't accept to meet people you don't know. If you really have to, you could ask your parents to escort you!
• When you want to buy something and you need to use a credit card, ask your parents for permission and allow them to do a little bit of research before making the purchase;
• You can always stop the conversations that you find uncomfortable; if someone and something on the web makes you feel scared, confused, trapped, offended or threatened, then find someone to talk to about them, i.e. parents, teachers, specialists that dedicate their lives to protecting children and families;
• Pay attention when you download free games and applications -  they might contain malware or inappropriate content;