Many parents see technology and the internet as convenient ways to keep their children engaged and entertained while learning. Whether through streaming platforms like YouTube Kids and Netflix, educational apps such as Duolingo or social platforms like TikTok and Instagram, the digital world has become a part of everyday parenting.
For some families, tablets and smartphones are learning companions that make lessons interactive and fun; for others, they provide an easy way to occupy children when parents are busy or away.
However, while these platforms can be helpful, they also come with risks if not properly supervised. The same devices that provide access to knowledge and entertainment expose children to harmful content or unhealthy online habits in the absence of parents’ supervision.
Parents often overlook the amount of time children spend online or the kind of information they encounter. Guiding them early on how to use technology responsibly is the best way to ensure online learning and safety.
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How is the internet beneficial for young people?
The internet offers endless opportunities for growth and creativity. Young people today can learn new skills, participate in global discussions from the comfort of their homes, and build their knowledge in exciting ways.
From coding tutorials to virtual science experiments, online storytelling, and art challenges, children can learn at their own pace and discover what they’re passionate about. Teenagers also benefit from networking platforms like LinkedIn for Students or virtual communities that expose them to future careers and global trends.
Beyond education, the internet can help children and teens express themselves, connect with peers, and share their talents. When guided properly, social media can promote their skills, build digital portfolios, or even start online projects. The key is helping them use these tools wisely, teaching them to be curious but cautious, and to balance screen time with real-world experiences.
What are the risks children face online?
For all its benefits, the online world can also expose children and teens to serious risks. One major concern is cyberbullying, where hurtful messages, images, or comments are shared to embarrass or intimidate others.
Children may also encounter online predators pretending to be friends, or come across harmful content that encourages violence, hate, or unsafe behaviour. Platforms designed for fun can easily become places where emotional or psychological harm occurs if children are not taught how to respond or seek help.
There are also risks such as phishing scams, fake challenges, and data theft. Many children unknowingly give out personal information while signing up for games, downloading apps, or joining online groups. This makes them targets for identity theft or manipulation. As technology becomes part of childhood, parents or guardians must recognise these threats and act before they cause harm.
How can parents and guardians protect children online?
The most effective way to protect children online is through open communication. Engage them regularly about what they do online, who they interact with, and what content they consume.
Explain why certain information, like their full name, school, home address, or photos, should not be shared publicly. Encourage them to come to you when they notice something uncomfortable online, instead of hiding it out of fear.
Parents should also take practical steps such as setting parental controls on devices, limiting screen time, and reviewing privacy settings on apps and social platforms. It’s helpful to create separate child accounts if possible, so that you can monitor activities safely.
Introduce digital safety gradually, teach them that the internet is useful but not everything on it is truthful, and guide them on how to differentiate between safe and unsafe spaces online.
What habits should parents model and encourage
Children learn by observing the adults around them, so modelling responsible digital behaviour is key.
Avoid oversharing your personal information, posting private family moments publicly, or using screens excessively around them. Show them how to verify online information before believing or sharing it, and demonstrate what it means to engage respectfully online.
Encourage good digital habits such as:
- Keeping devices out of bedrooms at night
- Setting time limits for social media, and
- Practising kindness in online interactions.
- Family “tech time” rules can help build trust and balance. You might designate certain hours for device use or spend time together exploring educational content, instead of leaving them unsupervised.
Why should children be guided online?
The goal is not to block children from using the internet, but to empower them to use it safely and responsibly. When adults guide, supervise, and teach digital wisdom, children are better equipped to make smart choices online. They can enjoy learning, creativity, and connection, without falling prey to the risks that come with an open digital world.
As parents and guardians, you hold the key to shaping a safer online future.
- Stay informed about what your children do online
- Talk about digital safety early, and
- Encourage positive online behaviour.
Let us work together to raise a generation of smart, confident, and responsible digital citizens, because a safer internet for children begins at home.
Written by Samuel Nii Adjetey
