Protecting children against DARK NET DANGERS
ParentsWorld India|January 2023
With children incrementally accessing the internet and venturing into the Dark Net, educating, enabling and guiding children - especially tweens and teens to use the internet beneficially and safely has become an important parental obligation.
POORNIMA DILIP, CYNTHIA JOHN & MINI P.
Protecting children against DARK NET DANGERS

The all-pervasive internet is a blessing which can transform into a curse if not used safely and sensibly. While the worldwide web has real-time made a vast ocean of information, communication and a plethora of services unimaginable in the 20th century accessible, it has a dangerous dark underside.

Over the past decade in particular the dark net has parallelly transformed into a hyperactive criminal cyberspace in which a frenzy of financial frauds, identity theft, online sexual abuse, child pornography, among other heinous crimes have become commonplace. According to the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), at least one cybercrime is reported every 10 minutes countrywide. And within the exponentially growing number of internet users countrywide 658 million currently children, especially adolescents, most vulnerable to cybercrimes.

 With teenage children being permitted easier access to the internet by parents, especially after the Covid pandemic prompted a shift to online learning, they are increasingly becoming easy targets of online bullies, sexual predators, scamsters and sundry perverts in online chat rooms, digital games zones and social media platforms. A recent survey by the popular US-based anti-virus software company McAfee, found that Indian children have the highest exposure to 'online risks' among 12,000 children surveyed from ten countries including the US, UK, and Mexico. The study titled Life Behind the Screens of Parents, Tweens and Teens, also noted that 90 percent of adolescents aged 15-16 years own/or have easy access to a smartphone or mobile device. It also revealed that 59 percent of tweens/teens hide their online activity from parents.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM PARENTSWORLD INDIAView all
Nutri-rich Indian SNACKS
ParentsWorld India

Nutri-rich Indian SNACKS

Indigenous snacks are healthy and nutritious alternatives to processed junk food. They are rich in protein, carbohydrates and micronutrients. Try these three nutri-rich Indian snacks

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2024
Exposing children to CAREER CHOICES
ParentsWorld India

Exposing children to CAREER CHOICES

PW invited parents from Amarjyoti Saraswati International School, Bhavnagar to share their thoughts on how they introduce children to diverse career options

time-read
2 mins  |
August 2024
Switzerland IDEAL FAMILY GETAWAY
ParentsWorld India

Switzerland IDEAL FAMILY GETAWAY

From exploring ancient castles and medieval towns to embarking on exhilarating alpine adventures and cultural experiences, Switzerland promises a family vacation filled with discovery and wonder

time-read
6 mins  |
August 2024
Common childhood nutritional DEFICIENCIES
ParentsWorld India

Common childhood nutritional DEFICIENCIES

Growing children need a variety of nutrients and micronutrients for optimal physical growth and development and smooth function of the nervous system

time-read
2 mins  |
August 2024
Student Leadership at Sarala Birla Academy
ParentsWorld India

Student Leadership at Sarala Birla Academy

Sarala Birla Academy (SBA) was set up with Mr. Kumar Mangalam Birla's overarching vision of \"igniting minds and creating in the students a love of learning and continuous development, by making the learning process an enjoyable experience and by doing so, help develop a higher sense of self-esteem in the student and endeavour to equip the student with life skills that will place him first among his equals, when he steps out into the real world.\"

time-read
2 mins  |
August 2024
Sky-high demand for ASTRONOMERS
ParentsWorld India

Sky-high demand for ASTRONOMERS

There's no dearth of employment opportunities for qualified astronomers in government organisations, research institutes, 40 planetaria across the country, observatories, museums, colleges and universities

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2024
Strategies to boost children's ACADEMIC MOTIVATION
ParentsWorld India

Strategies to boost children's ACADEMIC MOTIVATION

My daughter is uninterested in her schoolwork and often procrastinates before completing it. Please share some strategies to motivate her academically.

time-read
2 mins  |
August 2024
Developing healthy SOCIAL MEDIA HABITS
ParentsWorld India

Developing healthy SOCIAL MEDIA HABITS

What can you do if you think your teen already has unhealthy social media habits?

time-read
5 mins  |
August 2024
Financial literacy PRIMER FOR TEENS
ParentsWorld India

Financial literacy PRIMER FOR TEENS

Understanding how to manage money prudently enables adolescents not only to navigate the present but also equips them for long-term success

time-read
4 mins  |
August 2024
Importance of pursuing CREATIVE HOBBIES
ParentsWorld India

Importance of pursuing CREATIVE HOBBIES

Creative hobbies entail creative use of the mind, body and emotions. They enable flowering of a creative personality and growth of an individual who can offer something new and beautiful to themselves and the world

time-read
2 mins  |
August 2024