As South Africa commemorates 30 years of democracy, this year’s Youth Day and Youth Month revolve around the theme of “actively embracing the socioeconomic gains of our democracy.” This milestone signifies not only a celebration of progress but also a reflection of the pivotal advancements that have shaped the youth of our nation over the past three decades.
Among the most transformative developments during this period has been the rise of digital technology. With the proliferation of internet connectivity and digital devices, South Africa’s children and young adults now navigate a new digital landscape that permeates their school, leisure, and home environments.
Is this new digital world safe?
Cyber dangers are everywhere, with criminals continuously looking to exploit and deceive individuals, including kids. Online platforms can also be breeding grounds for cyberbullying and predators. Studies in the UK show that about one in 20 children has faced online risks.
It’s also worth pointing out that although we are making great advancements, tech and cybersecurity education still remains a privilege, which makes it mostly accessible to the more affluent communities in South Africa. A large proportion of youths are still not exposed to technology regularly from an early age due to socio-economic challenges, and when they do get the exposure, they have not received adequate awareness training around the possible dangers. This means that they can become targets much more easily.
At Fortinet, we believe that educating and training staff is crucial for securing the enterprise. The same principle applies to schools and homes. It’s crucial to teach young people from an early age about the risks of the online world and the importance of safeguarding their personal information.
Even though governments and companies often implement cybersecurity measures for employees, if we want to make the online world safer for our children and teens, we need everyone—governments, schools, and tech companies—to team up and take action.
What can teachers and parents do?
One big step would be to weave cybersecurity and online safety lessons into school curricula, giving students the digital smarts they need. These lessons should cover things like managing your online presence, keeping your privacy intact, behaving ethically online, understanding cybersecurity basics, and spotting real online content from fakes. By making cybersecurity a part of school life, we not only protect kids better but also open doors for young individuals to explore careers in cybersecurity, an industry hungry for fresh talent and full of opportunities.
Open and honest communication is also crucial. Parents and teachers should offer a safe space for children to raise concerns or report content and interactions that make them uncomfortable. Children should also be taught not to engage with harmful or suspicious posts, avoid opening emails or attachments from unfamiliar sources, and never meet in person with individuals they have only interacted with online, without discussing it with their parents first.
Together, by putting these ideas into action, we can build a digital world where South Africa’s youth can flourish, benefit from the internet’s opportunities, and stay shielded from its risks. Equipping our young ones with the right skills and understanding is key to safeguarding their online experiences and preparing them for a future where being digitally savvy is essential.
By Julie Noizeux, Channel Manager at Fortinet The post How Can You Create a Safer Internet for Children? first appeared on IT News Africa | Business Technology, Telecoms and Startup News.