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By CHAT News Today

Cybersecurity

Back to school internet safety tips

Sep 15, 2020 | 10:11 AM

With an increased focus on online learning in schools this year the Better Business Bureau is offering tips for internet safety.

The top tip for parents is to watch for children creating website accounts without permission.

Social media sites are ripe with strangers with intentions that may be quite different than yours. Many sites are designed to collect and sell unauthorized user details and behaviours to advertisers looking to engage in targeted marketing,” says the BBB in a release. When creating an account, some kids may falsely create a birthdate to meet the minimum age requirement. Know what your child is doing online, and keep track of the social media sites and accounts to which they have access.

Phishing scams and file-sharing sites are another danger to be aware of.

“Many websites allow children to download free media. What they may not know is these sites often come with the risk of downloading a virus, allowing identity thieves to access the gaming device, personal computer or even cell phone that’s being used, says the BBB.

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Understanding apps and making sure children don’t have any access to credit card or financial information are other important tips.

Parents are also encouraged to use privacy settings, disable location sharing on apps and use parental controls if necessary.

Parents and children should also be mindful of the future when online. The BBB says that what is posted online can last a lifetime.

“Parents can teach children that any information they share online can easily be copied and is almost impossible to take back. Talk to them about who might see a post and how it might be perceived in the future, and show them how anything they do online can positively, or negatively, can impact other people.”

Phishing can also be done through videoconferencing tools, which are often used to teach classes these days. “Zoom bombing” and other forms of criminal cyber activity also remain popular.

Teachers and school administrators are advised to evaluate and update their cybersecurity plans and devices that are connected to the internet.