Category: Online Safety for Kids

For children and teenagers, they open a huge space where they can study, communicate, and even play. But as it is true with every playground the internet also has its downside or advantages depending on how one takes it. From hate baiting and stalking to viruses and Trojan horses, simply going for a sail on the World Wide Web can be a real journey for the young mind.

And so, we come to the notion of ‘Cyber Heroes’ – respective games which are entirely dedicated to the establishment of proper net conduct.

Perhaps most parents may not appreciate the impact that games can have on education. However, the research revealed that I was rather surprised to know that games are extremely useful for learning purposes. They intervene in children’s need for play and challenge and reward them as they successfully perform through the games.

But let’s take a closer look at how these “Cyber Hero” games in particular help children learn what they need to know and gain the skills they need to protect themselves when they use the Internet. Here’s a closer look:

Problem-Solving Through Play:

Most of the online safety games are in the form of adventure games. In their turn, learners may get exposed to a territory in the virtual space, performing some actions that implies the solving of certain puzzles, and confronting various types of potentially malicious scenarios on the Internet. Here, children are able to gain good experiences of decision making processes.

They make decisions, they take chances, some are big and some small and there are always repercussions to actions. Such an approach enables the learners to appreciate better aspects of the topic and develop personal and constructive lessons on cyberbullying, passwords, and even hatred content.

Building Confidence and Communication Skills:

Games can also have an enabling effect on children where they allow the kid to have some control or agency within the digital terrain. Thus, by identifying all the challenges and overcoming online foes such as malware monsters or phishing phantoms, they become confident in approaching different online situations. The use of such a sense of empowerment allows the child to talk freely with the parents or the guardian in case of experiencing any issues in the use of the internet.

Challenges and Considerations:

It is necessary underlined that ‘Cyber Hero’ games present precious opportunities however There are some difficulties. However, most of these games are greatly influenced by age appropriateness and engagement. Simpler cases might overwhelm young children while the elder kids might not be interested in very simple games. Finding the right level is highly important.

However, the free use of games cannot substitute for frank discussions about internet security. That is why parents must be very involved in the social activities of their kids. Talking about content and points of concern in the games and setting up the proverbial dos and don’ts of online interaction are in order in order to set up safety protocols.

Games that Teach Online Safety

Here are a few games that teach kids about staying safe.

• Cyber-Five:  Designed for younger kids, the focus is on basic rules of online safety, such as protecting personal information, being kind online, asking a trusted adult, standing up to cyberbullying, and not talking to strangers.

• Webonauts Internet Academy:  Developed by PBS Kids, this game guides children through different online scenarios to teach and test online behavior.

• Common Sense Media (Digital Passport):   Online activities that teach responsible communication, safety and security, privacy, and creative credit.

• Be Internet Awesome (Google):  In Interland, players embark on adventures in a colorful virtual world.  They learn about privacy, sharing, digital citizenship, and how to deal with cyberbullying.

• Netsmartz Kids: Developed by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, characters like Clicky, Nettie, and Webster help children understand internet safety tips in a fun way.

• ThinkUKnow (Cyber Café):  Helps kids learn about online safety by simulating real-life situations in a café setting. They interact with different characters and face decisions about social media, gaming, and chatting online.

Beyond the Game: Expanding Online Safety Knowledge

This goes a long way beyond virtual worlds, where “Cyber Hero” games reside. These can be used just as a background and beginning point for the next levels of education. Here are some additional ways families can build upon the foundation established by these games:

• Family Movie Nights: Select programmes that depict issues to do with internet safety and bullying, which will act as discussion points to teach responsible internet usage.

• Digital Citizenship Workshops: Huge numbers of libraries and schools conduct specific workshops for children on how to remain safe and be responsible users of the internet.

Conclusion:

Through the “Cyber Hero” games children enjoy a number of different games while at the same time learning helpful lessons about the online world. These games help young minds to have a tool of engaging in their affairs the digital way through fun, while at the same time having the appropriate knowledge to guide them through the activities they engage in the digital world.

As mentioned, games alone are not the solution, but they constitute part of the solution. A combination of effective communication, constructive instructions from parents, and handwork are the key ideas that can help children avoid any dangerous experience on the Internet. Teach me then and let’s work hand in hand to prepare our young ones to become real ‘Cyber Heroes.”

On average, teens in the US spend eight to nine hours of their day using screens, with boys spending approximately one more hour than girls. Despite warnings about the overuse of the Internet, users obtain many benefits from their time online, including having access to information, connecting with friends, expressing themselves, and boosting their well-being.

Of course, all these benefits arise only when screens are used in moderation. As found in a recent study, brain scans indicate that teens who are addicted to the Internet undergo changes in the parts of the brain that are involved in active thinking.

These changes lead to additional addictive behavior, as well as changes in intellectual ability, physical coordination, and mental health. How can parents help their children strike the perfect balance between Internet use and a healthy, happy life?

Involving Children in Decision-Making

As kids grow up, they begin taking their first steps toward independence, and involving them in setting up boundaries for their Internet use is a great way to make them feel like their voice matters. When deciding how much time they should use on the Net for non-study-related matters, parents can set “non-negotiable limits” (for instance, no tech use in a child or teen’s bedroom at night) while also giving kids some leeway. For instance, if a child enjoys gaming, they can be given options (for example, they can choose to either play for half an hour a day after doing their homework or play for three hours total on weekends).

Honing Kids’ Digital Literacy

One of the most impactful ways of teaching children and adolescents the importance of keeping personal information private is to discuss real-life scenarios in which kids failed to do so. Real-life stories can show kids how fast information travels on the Net and how permanent what you post can become owing to the speed with which posts are shared. Useful tips to share with kids include accepting friendship invitations only from people they know in real life and keeping online-only friends to the virtual sphere or involving parents if they wish to meet a friend they have met online.

Kids should also know exactly what to do if they have an online conflict or if someone cyberbullies them. They should immediately report any such cases to parents, record evidence of bullying and other negative behaviors, and block bullies. Parents can help contact sites or apps to report bad behavior.

Monitoring Online Activity

Depending on the age of your children, your monitoring efforts need to vary. For instance, with young children, it is a good idea to place their computer in a common area (such as the living room) so you can keep an eye on what they are viewing. You can also block websites on Chrome and other browsers they access and use general monitoring services to monitor everything from how much time your child spends on apps to their online searches and social media use.

For younger children, you can consider blocking social media sites as a rule to avoid exposing them to cyberbullies. Since major social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter require users to be at least 13, it is also a good idea to block these platforms if your kids are underage.

Embracing the Art of Active Listening

If you want your kids to share their online experiences with you, then it is important to be a good listener. Kids should know that they can talk to you about the good and bad things they have encountered online without being responded to with emotionally reactive or judgmental words.

Active listening involves listening to someone else with full attention, allowing them to speak, and paraphrasing what they are saying so they know you are interested in what they are saying. It also involves holding back the urge to interrupt or give one’s opinion too quickly, before the person has had a chance to tell you everything that happened.

The Internet is a fact of life for most kids and has many academic and social benefits, so long as it is used in moderation. The good news is that parents can help their children make the most of online interactions. They can do so by listening to their children, teaching them digital literacy skills, and monitoring their Internet usage in an age-appropriate manner.

Kids love using the internet. Why shouldn’t they if they see adults browsing all the time? Nowadays, most of the kids are exposed to it from an early age.  You’ll hardly find a child without a smartphone, tablet, or gaming console. These gadgets provide endless entertainment, as well as teach them many cool and educational things.

For example, toddlers love watching Cocomelon videos on YouTube, and even second graders are already chatting with their peers through Messenger and Discord.

While giving your child a tablet or a smartphone might keep them occupied for several hours, it also exposes them to cybersecurity risks. Every device connected to the internet is vulnerable to these risks. As a result, Australian parents and teachers must ensure that kids know how to stay safe online.

The Dangers Children May Encounter Online

The internet is a double-edged sword. It’s fun and educational, but it’s also addictive, and gives hackers ammo to destroy lives. Children worldwide can experience multiple negative effects of the online world.

Cyberbullying

Your child uploads a post on Instagram, and the comments it receives are awful. Peer bullying is a real problem on many gaming forums and social media sites where kids spend a lot of time. Girls and boys can suffer a lot from cyberbullying on an emotional level.

Inappropriate Content

The internet is filled with inappropriate material, and accessing it is not difficult. Your child might get curious and easily stumble upon sexual or violent content, especially if their friends are talking about it. Getting used to explicit topics from an early age can negatively affect their emotional state.

Online Predators

There are a lot of predators lurking on the internet. They may use online platforms to contact children through chat rooms, social media, or gaming platforms. These predators often disguise themselves to build trust and take advantage of children.

Phishing Scams and Malware

Phishing scams are dangerous, and if they can trick adults, they can certainly trick children. If kids click on sketchy links or pop-ups, they might get malware or share private data without meaning to. These acts may cause identity theft, data breaches, or financial scams.

Oversharing Personal Information

Many kids don’t know how dangerous it is to share personal information online, like their name, where they live, school, or photos. This information can be used by hackers or predators to exploit them.

How to Teach Children About Online Safety

If you have small children, they might not care about the concept of online safety because they don’t understand it themselves. Teenagers, on the other hand, can sit down and listen to you only if the lecture doesn’t last an hour. Nevertheless, you should make it a habit to talk to them about this topic as often as you can. Here’s what you can do:

Start Early

Kids will get better at staying safe online if you start telling them about it early on. A great idea is to start simple. Explain the idea of cyber safety in easy terms, like you talk about the real world dangers. Start with simple things like don’t talk to strangers and don’t give out personal information.

Set Parental Controls

Gadgets can be educational, but parents and teachers should monitor children’s online activities. Parental controls can limit screen time, block inappropriate material, and stop kids from checking certain websites.

Explain the Importance of Strong Passwords

Teach children to create strong passwords and not share them with anyone, even their peers. For example, suggest your child to create a password based on their favourite superhero and a random symbol on the keyboard. That way, they can remember it more easily. Choose the best password manager to help store and generate secure passwords, ensuring your child’s online accounts are well-protected.

Introduce the Concept of a VPN

As your kids get older, they’ll start using their phones for browsing, streaming, and gaming. So, it’s the perfect time to show them why using a virtual private network (VPN) is important. For instance, with a VPN for a phone your child will have an encrypted internet connection, and be able to browse the internet safer. Bad actors will have a hard time getting to them with this kind of protection.

Tell Them About Phishing Attempts

Tell your kids repeatedly that they should avoid checking emails from people or companies they don’t know. You should teach them how to determine sketchy links and distinguish fake websites from real ones. Warn them that they should never give out personal information to strangers.

Encourage Open Communication

Ensure your kids are comfortable talking to you about their online activities. If they find something scary or disturbing online, they should be able to tell you right away. Building trust with your kids is important because this way, they’ll be open about anything that seems suspicious online.

Diamond art kits offer a unique opportunity to create stunning, personalized paintings that make for thoughtful and memorable gifts. Whether you choose to gift a completed painting or share the experience of creating one, diamond art kits provide a meaningful and creative way to show someone you care.

To make this experience even more special, you can opt for the best custom diamond painting. This option allows you to transform one of your cherished photos into a dazzling piece of art. This art is an opportunity to learn new skills, connect emotionally with your chosen image, and create something truly personal. The emotional value and sense of accomplishment make custom diamond paintings a standout gift, offering benefits that go beyond the ordinary.

We enjoyed delving into the many reasons why custom diamond paintings are the perfect personalized gift.  And now, we’re existing to show you how they bring joy to both the giver and receiver.

What Are Custom Diamond Paintings?

Diamond paintings are a type of art you can create with a canvas and ‘diamonds’. These diamonds are actually drills of resin rhinestones of different colors. Using the instructions on the canvas, you will glue the diamonds down in the form of a mosaic.

Therefore, custom diamond paintings are a mosaic of a unique image you want. When you submit a picture to a diamond art company, they will print a canvas and send you a matching diamond art kit. Then, you will be able to make a mosaic of your photographs and give away the final art piece. Alternatively, you can give the art kit as a gift and let the recipient have fun putting it together.

The Best Qualities of Custom Diamond Paintings

When you want to give a unique gift, diamond paintings are an excellent option. To understand why it is such a good option, you only need to consider its qualities.

Diamond paintings have the following qualities:

1.    Creates a Long-lasting Memory

The first reason why you should give away custom diamond paintings is that they give a lasting memory. Since you can select any of your own pictures, such as vacation photographs, these paintings are meaningful. So, you and the person you are giving it to will be able to remember the memory depicted in the mosaic. Plus, the recipient will fondly remember the process of putting it together if you give this gift as a diamond art kit.

2.    Improves Manual and Discernible Skills

These paintings will allow you or the recipient to improve your manual and observant skills. In particular, children benefit from putting together these paintings. This is because this activity promotes hand-eye coordination. It give them an appreciation for art and also requires the child to practice recognizing shapes and reproducing them.

3.    Evokes Powerful Emotions

These paintings are striking in their beauty. So, when you give them away as a gift, the recipient may be touched by the artistic mosaic. They may also feel captivated and awaken a desire to create art of their own. For children in particular, the fun and bright colors can prompt them to be more creative.

4.    Reduces Stress

Another reason why you should consider these paintings as your first personalized gift option is that they reduce stress. Since you can paint with diamonds in a quiet and peaceful environment, it can be calming. Since it requires focus, it can help you enter a mindful state of mind that can be therapeutic. Moreover, the repetitive motion of placing the diamonds may let you decompress.

5.    Improves Focus

This personalized gift is perfect for those who need to improve their focus. Handling the small diamonds requires focus, so you will naturally start thinking only of this task. For children, this can lead to over 10 hours of dedicated, focused activity. Broken down into creative sessions, you may be able to focus your child on this activity for several days.

6.    Transforms Keepsakes into Art

These diamond paintings will transform your keepsake photographs into works of art. While you could turn the original image into a framed photograph, using it to create a diamond painting heightens its value. In fact, the recipient of this gift may even prefer it since it can be an interesting piece of art they can add to their home decor.

7.    Suits Various Occasions

Finally, custom diamond paintings are perfect for a variety of occasions. Whether you want to give a diamond painting gift for a birthday, religious holiday, or another occasion, its customization feature allows you to make it fit the occasion. For instance, if you want to celebrate the holiday, you can use a picture you took during that season.

Where to Get Custom Diamond Paintings

To find the best diamond art kits, you should visit Dreamer Designers. Their diamond art kits have a high-quality canvas, allowing you to create detailed paintings that will not crease. Moreover, their colorful diamonds are made of eco-friendly resin. Also, you can supplement the kit by adding more tools to make the painting process easier and faster.

Plus, they have an Uh-Oh insurance policy. So, if your child spills the diamonds, they will replace the diamonds at zero cost to you. You will simply need to take a picture of the mess and submit a claim. Within a day, the company will reach out to you to resolve the situation.

Conclusion

Custom diamond paintings are the best personalized gift you can offer someone, no matter the occasion. This gift is meaningful not only because of its uniqueness and personal nature but also because of its stunning appearance. These mosaics shine with bright colors which enchant both children and adults. In addition, these paintings act as keepsakes that offer you a chance to practice manual and cognitive skills, reduce stress, and increase focus.

To offer this spectacular gift, you should consider buying a custom kit from a highly-rated diamond kit producer such as Dreamer Designs. Their high-quality kits and customization features create the best diamond painting gifts.