The internet has become as much a part of everyday life as a toothbrush. Teaching children healthy online behaviour is teaching them valuable life skills that will set them up for success now and in adulthood. Here’s how to guard against some of the bigger risks of using the internet for children. 

No screen time for babies 

The World Health Organization recommends that children under two years old not get any sedentary screen time at all. Speaking on the Tech Talk with Vodacom podcast, Dr Skye Scott, a GP with a special interest in mental health, explains that digital content designed to “give you a kick” stimulates small, developing brains unnaturally. “It develops a type of dopamine-seeking behaviour in children,” she says. This can lay an early foundation for digital addiction later on.  

Go online together 

As they get older, it will become impossible to keep your child offline. Instead of a blanket ban on internet access, UNICEF recommends spending time online with them to identify age-appropriate groups, games and content, recognise misinformation, and to teach them good online behaviour – never say nasty things to people online, spread rumours or share embarrassing stories. You can reinforce this behaviour by setting a good example.  

Keep young kids off social media 

Regardless of how much your nine-year-old might nag and beg, social media is no place for a child. “We have to remind ourselves that we are the parent, and we need to exercise boundaries because we need to protect children from social media,” says Dr Scott. It’s difficult to deny your child a TikTok account when all their friends are on TikTok. One way to address this is to team up with other parents in your community and decide together what age your children will be allowed a smartphone or a social media account. 

Use technology to protect your child from inappropriate internet content 

Using parental control features can limit exposure to harmful content. On the internet browser, go to “settings” and enable safe browsing. Vodacom prepaid and contract customers can enable Secure Net Parental Control for free. When enabled, it will help shield your child from illegal or inappropriate adult content (including violence, gambling and sexual content). It can only be disabled in store with an ID proving the customer is over 18 years old. 

Foster a close relationship with your child 

Importantly, while there are risks of using internet for children, these won’t automatically lead to harm. Just like teaching your child to avoid IRL risks, Interpol says the best way to protect your child online is to develop a relationship where they can speak openly and honestly about their online experiences. Teach children about safe internet use:  

• Never share any personal information, such as address, school, or full name 

• Never agree to meet an online friend in person without discussing it with an adult 

• A digital footprint is forever – even if you delete the content – so be very careful what you share online, even in DMs.  

Encourage kids and teens to come to you if they encounter anything that makes them feel uneasy and remind them that they can share anything with you, even if it’s embarrassing. For more advice on staying safe online visit our fraud overview.