MODULE - I: FUNDAMENTALS OF DIGITAL SAFETY & ONLINE BEHAVIOR

CHAPTER – IV
ONLINE SAFETY FOR CHILDREN AND TEENAGERS

Online Safety for Children and Teenagers: Common risks for young users, using parental
controls and safe browsing tools, Identifying and addressing cyberbullying, teaching children
responsible internet use

Common Online Risks for Children and Teenagers

Risk Sub points Explanation
Online bullying through messages, social media,
Harassment,
Cyberbullying games, or chat rooms. Can cause severe emotional
Trolling, Threats
distress, anxiety, and depression.
Grooming, Strangers who build trust with children to exploit
Online Predators
Exploitation them sexually or emotionally. Often pose as peers.
Violence, Kids may accidentally or intentionally access
Inappropriate
Pornography, Hate harmful content that affects their mental
Content
Speech development.
Trick kids into giving personal info or clicking
Fake links, Online
Phishing & Scams malicious links. Could lead to identity theft or
fraud
financial loss.
Excessive screen time can cause sleep disorders,
Addiction & Screen Games, Social
reduced academic performance, and mental health
Overuse Media, YouTube
issues.
Oversharing Children may reveal phone numbers, addresses,
Privacy Breaches
personal info school info, etc., which can be misused.
Sharing sexual Risk of exploitation, blackmail, and emotional
Sexting
images/texts trauma. Often occurs due to peer pressure.
Someone pretends to be another person to
Fake Friendships Catfishing deceive, steal information, or emotionally
manipulate.
Hate Speech & Exposure to Some forums promote violence or racism,
Radicalization extremist content influencing vulnerable minds.
Voice chat abuse, in- Children may face verbal abuse in games or spend
Gaming Risks
game purchases money unknowingly.

Using Parental Controls and Safe Browsing Tools

Tool/Method Sub points Explanation
Monitor screen time, web activity, app usage,
Parental Control Qustodio, Norton Family,
and location. Sends alerts for harmful
Apps Bark
behavior.
Android Digital
Built-in Device Set time limits, block apps, filter web content
Wellbeing, iOS Screen
Controls on devices.
Time
Kiddle, KidRex, Safe Child-friendly search engines with filtered
Safe Browsers
Search Kids results to avoid adult content.
 Tool/Method Sub points Explanation
Search Engine Prevents explicit content in search results. Can
Google Safe Search
Filters be enabled in settings.
Router-based Netgear Circle, Open Block harmful websites and manage screen
Controls DNS time across home Wi-Fi.
Google Family Link, Approve app downloads, monitor in-app
App Restrictions
Apple Family Sharing activities and purchases.
YouTube Kids, Netflix Only show age-appropriate content. Removes
Content Filters
Kids violent or explicit videos.
Browser history, Activity Parents can review browsing history and usage
Monitoring Tools
reports patterns to ensure safety.
Education Mode Khan Academy Kids, Promotes safe and productive internet use
Tools Duolingo Kids through learning apps.
Location Ensure children's physical safety along with
Life360, Find My Kids
Trackers online tracking.

Identifying and Addressing Cyberbullying

Aspect Sub points Explanation
Signs of Withdrawal, Anger, Sudden behavior changes may indicate bullying.
Cyberbullying Avoiding devices Kids might hide screens or avoid school.
Common Instagram, Snapchat, Bullying often happens via DMs, group chats, or
Platforms WhatsApp, Games game chats.
Prevention Education, Awareness, Teach kids what is acceptable online behavior
Techniques Open dialogue and encourage open communication.
Platforms allow users to report bullying or block
Social media report
Reporting Tools offenders. Important to teach kids how to use
options
them.
POCSO Act (India), Laws protect children from cyber harassment.
Legal Support
COPPA (USA) Police or cyber cells can help in severe cases.
Counseling School counselors, Psychological help for bullied children to regain
Support Online therapy confidence.
Stay calm, reassure, Support the child emotionally, take screenshots
Parental Response
document evidence of messages, and report to school or authorities.
Schools should have clear procedures for
School
Anti-bullying policies addressing cyberbullying. Parental collaboration
Involvement
is key.
Digital Literacy Teach children the consequences of
Workshops, Videos
Training cyberbullying, empathy, and conflict resolution.
Empowering the Block/report features, Help children take control of their online space
Child privacy settings and feel empowered to act.

Teaching Children Responsible Internet Use

Topic Sub points Explanation
Respect, Responsibility, Teach that the internet is a shared space;
Digital Citizenship
Empathy children should act ethically online.
Setting Rules Screen time, Website Parents should establish clear and age-
 Topic Sub points Explanation
access, Online friends appropriate boundaries.
Don't share passwords, Children must know not to reveal sensitive
Privacy Awareness
personal info details to strangers.
Use complex, unique Encourages safe online behavior and
Strong Password Use
passwords reduces risk of hacking.
Children should be taught to be cautious
Think Before You
Avoid suspicious links and not click on unknown pop-ups or
Click
links.
Understanding Everything online is Teach that comments, photos, and posts
Digital Footprint permanent stay online forever.
Promote quality internet use with learning
Use of Educational Verified educational sites,
platforms like Byju's, National
Content e-books
Geographic Kids.
No piracy, No cheating, Instill values of honesty and respect
Cyber Ethics
No trolling online.
Combine screen time with Encourage tech-life balance for mental
Balanced Use
outdoor activities and physical health.
Modelling Good Children imitate adults, so parents should
Parents as role models
Behavior demonstrate healthy and safe internet use.