{"id":233225,"date":"2022-08-03T20:56:31","date_gmt":"2022-08-03T18:56:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/tips-for-parents-on-keeping-kids-safe-online\/"},"modified":"2022-08-03T20:56:31","modified_gmt":"2022-08-03T18:56:31","slug":"tips-for-parents-on-keeping-kids-safe-online","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/tips-for-parents-on-keeping-kids-safe-online\/","title":{"rendered":"Tips for parents on keeping kids safe online"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Young children and adolescents are becoming hyper connected. They are using digital technologies as a platform for learning, connection and socialisation on a global scale. The COVID pandemic meant that kids were moving online for many of their daily activities and spending more time online. <\/p>\n

In South Africa, children generally access the internet at home much more frequently than at school, and most commonly using a smartphone. Their main online activity is use of social media.<\/p>\n

Connecting online has the potential to reduce inequalities and barriers to education and services. But there is also a risk of exposure to a range of threats. In one survey, about 50% of South African adolescents had been exposed<\/a> to sexual content and 34% also reported exposure to violent content and hate speech.<\/p>\n

Not all exposure is risky or damaging. But what can parents do to monitor their children\u2019s use of the internet and protect them from potential harm?<\/p>\n

The answer lies in finding the right balance between empowerment and protection. The internet is here to stay. Parents should engage with their children on the digital world. The quality of offline relationships and communication is the key to protecting children online.<\/p>\n

In today\u2019s episode of Pasha, Rachana Desai, a postdoctoral research fellow at the University of the Witwatersrand, offers some tips:<\/p>\n