Publications
While parents are adept at identifying threats in the physical world and helping their children reduce those risks, online dangers can seem more opaque.
With social-distancing guidelines and precautionary measures still in place, children are using online platforms daily, for entertainment and education and the dangers of the presence in the digital world seem a lot more threatening.
In a bid to discuss online safety from the perspectives of online schooling, the law and parental support, specialists and educational enthusiasts have teamed up to host a free webinar for parents, on the 2 Nov from 18:00 - 19:00 on Zoom.
The panellists will include Arinda Truter, an attorney and specialist in social media and the law, Rachelle Best, founder of the consensual monitoring app 'FYI play it safe', and Mark Anderson, principal of Koa Academy online school.
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'Part of the modern parenting experience'
Parent-child communication based on trust is at the heart of keeping children safe online, say the presenters.
Best says, "Parents need to see online safety as a holistic concept. Setting up screentime and the relevant age and content restrictions on applications is not enough. Parents need to understand threats and risks in a world where new apps are made available every day, and tech is ever-changing."
Children attending online schools do not face different risks than any other child making use of the internet and engaging with others over social media, says Truter.
"It's important for all parents to be aware of the risks presented by online gaming, apps and social media. It is just part of the modern parenting experience to have knowledge of issues such as cyberbullying, hate speech and sexting, to be aware of privacy concerns and digital footprint, and to understand the law when it comes to the chain of online publishing."
Anderson also points out that positive experiences offered by online schooling give your child the opportunity to build their skills as a literate, responsible digital citizen.
Register for the webinar here.
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