Category: Online Safety for Kids

As children spend more time online, they are increasingly exposed to influencers and user-generated content across platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. These digital personalities often shape young viewers’ perceptions of success, beauty, and happiness, sometimes in ways that create unrealistic expectations or promote consumerism and a materialistic lifestyle.

Guiding children to critically evaluate this content is crucial for building a healthy understanding of what is real and what may be exaggerated or biased due to commercial motives. When parents and teachers work together to be positive role models and primary influences in a child’s life, they can help counter the impact of external forces that significantly affect young, developing minds.

First Steps: Online Guidance and Support

Utilizing online resources can significantly aid in managing your child’s exposure to online influencers and user-generated content. Websites, blogs, and parenting forums offer valuable insights into the latest trends, platforms, and tools that help you stay informed about what your child may encounter online.

These resources can also provide strategies for handling specific challenges, from dealing with inappropriate content to fostering a healthy relationship with social media. For instance, you can find Parenting tips and more advice online to enable you to make informed decisions on setting boundaries, managing screen time, and ensuring your child’s safety while exploring the digital world. With these resources at your disposal, you can stay ahead of emerging digital trends and better understand the potential risks associated with certain platforms or influencers.

Understanding Influencers and Paid Promotions

The first step in managing children’s exposure to online influencers is helping them understand what influencers do. An influencer’s main goal often revolves around promoting products or lifestyles.  Even if they are not selling anything, gaining followers is a way for them to earn money.  This alone motivates online personalities to create material that shocks or entice viewers with clickbait headlines.

However, kids should be taught that influencers are sometimes paid to showcase items or experiences. This financial relationship can make content feel genuine, but it may have been crafted with the specific purpose of encouraging viewers to purchase a product or adopt a certain viewpoint.

Explain that while some influencers genuinely enjoy and use the products they promote, others might only be promoting them because they’re paid to do so. Encourage questions like, “Do they really think this is the best product, or are they simply embellishing the truth?”

Teach Kids to Question What They See and Hear

Media literacy is a skill that helps children analyze the motives behind the content they see. Children should be encouraged to ask questions about online content, much like they would about ads on TV or in magazines. Critical thinking involves analyzing, questioning, and understanding the “why” behind an influencer’s content and thinking about the impact it may have on their own decisions.

Encourage children to spot sponsored content and differentiate it from organic posts. Discuss why an influencer might choose to feature a particular brand and how it aligns with their online persona.

Discuss the Difference Between Online and Real Life

Many influencers showcase a curated life—highlighting only the most exciting, glamorous, or ideal parts of their days. Children need to know that social media often presents only a highlight reel rather than an accurate portrayal of real life. Helping kids differentiate between online portrayals and reality is key to preventing self-esteem issues and helping them develop realistic expectations.

Ask questions like, “Does anyone’s life look perfect all the time?” and “Why do you think they’re only showing this part of their day?” This can help children recognize that what they see online is often only part of the picture. Healthy skepticism is not a bad thing.

Recognizing Curated and Exaggerated Content

Beyond the “highlight reel” effect, some online content is intentionally exaggerated to drive engagement or evoke emotional reactions. This could include exaggerated reactions, over-the-top challenges, or unrealistic portrayals of relationships or lifestyles. Recognizing these exaggerations helps kids understand that not everything online is as authentic as it seems. Discuss the types of influencers they follow and the content they interact with regularly.

Watch a video together and discuss moments that seem exaggerated or too good to be true. Explore why influencers might exaggerate—such as for more likes, shares, or views—and how these elements can make their content more compelling to viewers.

Encourage following a variety of content types, not just influencer-based content, but also accounts focused on hobbies, learning, or positive values. This can provide children with a more balanced online experience.

Choose Platforms and Influencers with Caution

When deciding which online platforms your child can use and which influencers they can follow, do so with careful consideration. Some platforms offer better control over content than others, and certain influencers promote messages that align more closely with positive values.

Research the influencers your child follows, considering their content style, values, and the message they convey. Avoid allowing your child to follow influencers who promote harmful behaviors or unrealistic expectations. Instead, encourage them to follow role models who are educational, inspiring, and promote a healthy, balanced lifestyle.

Managing children’s exposure to online influencers and user-generated content requires a balanced approach of guidance, communication, and appropriate digital tools. By setting clear rules, using parental controls, fostering open conversations, and encouraging critical thinking, you can help your child navigate the digital world safely and responsibly.

By utilizing online resources for support and staying informed about new trends can empower you to make better decisions for your child’s online safety. With these strategies in place, you can ensure that your child’s online experiences remain positive, educational, and in line with your family values.

When downloading apps you should always do so from trusted sources.  We’ll dig deeper in to how to achieve that, plus offer additional security measures to beware of.  But first, let’s talk about our safe app search tool on this page. Just like our other search resources, searching for an app below filters websites to help encourage safe app downloads.

We stress that you follow the advice given in the article below to ensure safety while finding and using apps.

Bookmark this page to Search for Safe Apps
enhanced by Google

App Safety Essentials

Protecting your identity and devices should be your first priority in every aspect of your online life.  The use of apps is no exception.   With every app download comes potential risks to your data and privacy. There are also the possibility of security threats like malware, phishing scams, and unwanted data tracking.

Here’s are app safety essentials to follow keep your app experience secure.

Download Apps from Trusted Sources Only

• Official App Stores: Stick to well-regulated stores like Google Play Store or Apple App Store, which have strict policies for apps. Even though some threats can slip through, these stores are generally safer than third-party sources.

• Third-Party Stores Caution: Apps from outside of official stores may not be scrutinized as closely and could contain malware or spyware. Our safe app search seeks to weed out those bad actors, but always follow the safety measures in this guide as well.

Check App Permissions

• Read Permissions Carefully: Before installation, check what permissions the app is requesting. A flashlight app, for instance, doesn’t need access to your contacts or location.

• Limit Access on Your Device: Be sure to go to your app settings periodically to review permissions and disable those that seem unnecessary.

Read Reviews and Ratings

• Pay Attentions to User Feedback: Reviews can reveal hidden issues like data theft, excessive ads, or glitches. If an app has poor ratings or negative feedback about privacy issues, think twice before downloading.

• Research Developer Information: Investigate who developed the app. Established developers with a history of safe apps are more trustworthy.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

• Enhanced Security: Many apps, offer 2FA to add an extra layer of security.  It’s easy to activate and very important to do.  Two-factor authentication stops a hacker in their tracks because they would need both your password and a second form of verification (such as your phone) to access your account.

• Password Management: We can’t stress enough the need for any account, including apps, to use strong, unique passwords for each app to prevent one security breach from affecting multiple accounts. Use a password manager to save your unique passwords.

Keep Apps Updated

• Turn on Automatic Updates: Developers often release updates to patch vulnerabilities and improve security. Allowing automatic updates fixes glitches as soon as possible.  Of course, if you think there is an issue with your app, you can update it manually at any time.

Occasionally review the developer’s notes on each update to understand what’s being improved, especially for critical apps like financial or messaging apps where security is a priority.

• Delete Outdated Apps: Remove apps you no longer use.  These can sometimes create unexpected security issues if they aren’t actively maintained by the developer.

Watch Out for Phishing Attempts

• Scrutinize Links: Be suspicious of messages within apps or in email or texts that prompt you to enter personal information or click on links. Scammers may attempt to impersonate official app messages to trick you.

• Check Sources: Never click on a link or download an attachment without verifying it’s legitimate. When in doubt, go directly to the app or website instead of clicking through an email.

Be Mindful of In-App Purchases

• Guard Against Unauthorized Purchases: Many apps, especially games, offer in-app purchases that can add up quickly. Set up parental controls if children use your device to prevent accidental charges.

• Be Aware of Subscriptions: Monitor and manage your subscriptions in the app store settings. Some apps may offer free trials that convert to paid subscriptions if you don’t cancel.

Limit App Use for Sensitive Activities

• Use High-Security Apps Only for Sensitive Data: Choose well-known, high-security apps for sensitive activities like banking or file storage.  These are more likely to prioritize security.

• Avoid Public Wi-Fi: Avoid download apps while on public Wi-Fi.  Also, don’t use apps with sensitive information unless you are on a secure Wi-Fi networks, such as at home.  This will make you less susceptible to cyber attacks.

Regularly Audit Your Installed Apps

• Get Rid of Unused Apps: The more apps you use, the more you’ll have to manage.  If you no longer use an app, why not delete it?  Fewer apps mean fewer security risks and a reduced digital footprint.

• Delete Unused Accounts: For apps you don’t need, consider deleting your account within the app itself to ensure your data isn’t left behind.

Educate Yourself on App Scams

• Stay Informed: App-based scams are constantly evolving. Follow tech news or use educational resources to stay updated on new threats and how to avoid them.

• Understand Your Rights: Familiarize yourself with your local data protection laws, which often require app developers to protect user data and ensure transparency in data use.

We’re glad you found our safe app search tool.  Remember, it is just one resource to help you stay safe online.  Education and following recommended safety measures are essential to download only trusted apps and to operate them safely.

What is real? What is fake?  From images to videos, artificial intelligence continues to impress us with what it can do to making something look very real.  It’s difficult to tell whether or not something is legit. For decade, experts at photo shop were able to create fake images but now with AI, anyone with no experience can create a fake image.

This includes the creation of amazing looking videos in mere seconds.

When someone says they are “a skeptic”, it usually refers to a specific thing.

For example:

Question: “Do you believe in the ghosts?”
Answer:   “I am a skeptic”.

What they are saying is that on the topic of ghosts?  They are skeptical.

Now, if one were to say they are a skeptical person, they generally mean that they question most things and need to see evidence.

From the same word, skepticism is an attitude of doubt. It can be about a specific thing or a persistent attitude.

Internet Skepticism

So, with all that laid out as background, it’s safe to say that the internet is a single thing that feeds us many topics, opinions, images, and videos.  All of these elements come form many different sources, but “the internet” is the all-encompassing force in all of our daily lives.

Which brings us back to our original questions. How can you know what is real and what is fake?  We’d like to state the case for learning how to be an internet skeptic.  This means we can keep an open mind to new ideas, but when reading, viewing, or watching online, everything must scrutinized to determine it’s validity.  Otherwise, we open ourselves up to being duped.  It may be regarding something lighthearted and fun, or it may something that is more serious that harms us, such as a scam.

You may not doubt every single you see, based on your existing knowledge of facts, but if you do not know for sure because we have a limited knowledge on a subject, you can protect yourself as an internet skeptic. Always ask the question. Is this real?  In important matters, it will also prevent the spread of false information, much like unfounded gossip.

Real Life Case Study

So, this morning we found a video online that looked like the City of Toronto had dawned the CN Tower with a white sheet to look like ghost.

Red eyes shone from the viewing tower at night to look like eyes.

Some people stated in the comments that it was real because some they lived in an apartment close the CN tower and saw it with their own eyes.  Others said, “I can’t believe people think this is real”.  There was a debate going on.  Some people were making jokes, others sounded very serious about whether the video was real or the creation of AI.

If you saw this as an internet skeptic, you’ll immediately have doubts.  This is a good place to start.  If it’s something as fun as the CN tower being made to look like a ghost, you may simply say.  Who cares it’s real or not?  I don’t have time to research it, and you simply keep scrolling.

For more important issues, it’s going to be vital to get your facts straight and do your part to refute false or misleading information.  This is why it’s important to always questions everything you see or hear.  And this includes out in the real world.

So, was the CN Tower dressed like a ghost real?   No, it wasn’t.  And how do we know?  Well, we checked the live webcam of the CN tower that is broadcast 24/7 with images taken periodically.

CN Tower, Toronto, Canada

These images from the live webcam on the CN Tower were captured long after the original CN ghost video and images appeared. There is no big ghost in the sky. The original video and images captured from it are fake, either created using AI or photo shop.

How to Research Facts and Fiction Online

As an internet skeptic, here are some ways you can research information, images, and videos that you see online.

Check the Source’s Credibility

• Investigate the website or platform where the content originated. Established news outlets and academic sources generally have stricter fact-checking processes.
• Look for an “About Us” section or verify the organization’s reputation through a quick online search.
• On social media posts, read through the comments to see what others are saying. This is not a definitive way to determine validity, it’s simply one was to gain insight.

Cross-Reference Information

• Search for the same information on multiple reputable sources. If a story appears only on one source, especially an unfamiliar one, it may be false or misleading.
• For major events, see if other reliable news sites are covering it similarly.  Cross check social media posts against blogs and news outlets.

Use Reverse Image Search

• Use tools like Google Reverse Image Search or TinEye to see where an image has appeared online before. This helps identify if the image is recycled or used out of context.
• Reverse image search can also show if an image has been altered or misrepresented by comparing with the original.

Verify the Date and Location of Images and Videos

• Check for visual clues within the content that can give hints about the time and place, like weather conditions, vehicles, or clothing styles.
• Use tools like InVID, Amnesty’s YouTube DataViewer, or The Wayback Machine website to verify video origins, timestamps, and metadata.

Examine the Metadata

• Metadata can provide valuable details like the creation date, location, and device used for digital content. If metadata is available, tools such as Exif viewers can extract metadata from images.

Look for Red Flags in Writing Style and Content

• Watch for all-caps headlines, sensational language, grammatical errors, and overly emotional writing.  These are often signs of unreliable content.
• Check if the article is opinion-based, written by anonymous authors, or lacks proper sourcing.

Consult Fact-Checking Sites

• Websites like Snopes, FactCheck.org and TruthorFiction.com specialize in verifying viral content, such as internet myths, hoaxes, news stories, and other claims that are circulating online.
• Use these investigative type platforms to gain context or history on recurring rumors and misleading content.

Inspect Social Media Profiles

• When content comes from social media, examine the profile to assess if it’s verified, has a history of reliable posts, and engages in genuine interactions.
• Fake profiles often have very few posts, low engagement, and lack a profile history or personal connections.

Check for Altered or Edited Content

• Look for subtle clues of digital alteration, like inconsistent lighting, unusual shadows, or blurred edges, especially in images.
• For videos, check for unnatural breaks or audio-visual mismatches that may indicate edits or splicing.

Engage with the Online Community

• Certain platforms, like Reddit or specialized forums, have communities dedicated to debunking and analyzing misinformation.
• Be cautious and verify all findings independently, but these communities often reveal additional insights or overlooked details.

Using these strategies, skeptics can approach online content with a critical eye and make more informed decisions about the reliability of what they see.

On a Final Note

Research takes work.  Sometimes images and videos are just for fun.  Other times, they can be used for malicious purposes.  The more the general internet population believes everything they see and hear, the more harm it will do when there are issues that are important.  This includes scams, false information about health and safety, and the spread of ignorance and hate about people.

There are many social media creators trying to get your ‘like’ and ‘follow’. Critical thinking is also your best friend when looking at something for the first time. Ask how plausible is what you are seeing?  Don’t be afraid to be an internet skeptic.

Online gaming platforms such as Roblox provide endless entertainment for children. However, maintaining your child’s privacy while they play Roblox is crucial. Kids often interact with others online, potentially exposing them to privacy risks. We’ll guide you through essential strategies for ensuring your child stays safe.

Understanding Roblox and Its Appeal

Roblox is a popular platform where children create, share, and play games. Its user-generated content and social interaction features make it appealing. However, these same features can expose children to privacy concerns. Knowing what Roblox offers helps parents set appropriate boundaries and safeguards.

The Privacy Risks Inherent in Online Gaming

Online gaming environments like those your child can find in Roblox can pose significant privacy risks. They may inadvertently share personal information through profile details or in-game chats. There are many ways in which digital privacy can be compromised without your knowledge; taking steps to protect your child’s information can prevent serious issues later on. Awareness of these risks is the first step toward proactive protection.

Fortunately, Roblox is very aware of its primary user base and takes steps to prevent players from sharing personal information. Roblox automatically blocks key phrases in chat to prevent users from requesting or sharing legal names, addresses, and numbers. However, no censorship system is perfect, and players may ask questions outside of the game’s filter to gather information about your child.

Monitoring and Communication

Regularly checking in on your child’s online activity is essential. Engage with them about what they enjoy on Roblox and any new friends they make. Monitoring is not just about looking over their shoulder but also maintaining a dialogue that reinforces trust and safety. This approach allows you to identify any potential issues before they evolve into problems.

Leveraging Parental Controls

Roblox provides parental control features to help you manage what your child can see and do. Parental controls can be set to limit game access, block chat functionalities, and restrict spending within the platform. By customizing these settings, you create a safer gaming environment tailored to your child’s age and maturity level.

Navigating Roblox Account Settings

Roblox offers various settings to help protect your child’s information. Here’s a quick guide to navigating these settings:

• Access account settings by clicking the gear icon in the top-right corner.
• Select “Privacy” to adjust who can communicate with your child.
• Enable “Account Restrictions” to limit interactions to only curated content.
• Regularly monitor the “Security” tab to ensure two-step verification is active.

Teaching Safe Online Interaction

Discussing online safety with your child is vital. Teaching your child how to safely engage with others online empowers them to make smart decisions. Discuss scenarios they might encounter and role-play responses. Encourage open dialogue about their online experiences to ensure they feel comfortable reporting any issues.

Conclusion

Fostering a secure gaming experience for your child requires effort and vigilance. By maintaining your child’s privacy while they play Roblox, parents can foster a safe and enjoyable environment. Open communication and proactive settings management are key to a positive gaming experience, so stay engaged, stay informed, and keep your child’s digital world safe.