Safe Internet Space in the New Academic Year

The internet opens doors to knowledge, communication, and entertainment,
but it also harbors many dangers. The most common threats
that children face online include:

- cyberbullying – harassment and persecution online, which can cause serious psychological harm;

- inappropriate content – access to pornography, scenes of violence, and extremist information that negatively affect a child's development;

- online predators – malicious individuals who use the internet to contact children for the purpose of exploitation;

- phishing and fraud – attempts to trick a child into revealing personal information or money;

- gadget addiction – excessive engagement in online games and social networks, leading to social isolation and health problems.

Protecting children online is not just about installing parental controls and imposing strict limitations. It is primarily about dialogue, trust,
and education.

Remind children about the importance of protecting their personal information. Under no circumstances should they share their name, home address, phone number, or photos, or provide information about their school to strangers online.

Explain that people online are not always who they seem.

Particular caution should be exercised when communicating
with strangers.

Do not accept invitations for real-life meetings from people the child met online. If someone asks for this, be sure to tell your parents.

Teach your child to be skeptical of information obtained from the internet and not to post information online that could harm themselves or others. After all, every word
and every image published online leaves a digital footprint.