Browsing the Internet is very fun for teenagers, it is true that it can also be educational, and it offers many learning-oriented opportunities. But the ability of Social Networks to promote interaction with other people, organize social life and meet new people is undeniable.
But nevertheless when the Internet is not used well, boys and girls are exposed to risks that are largely avoidable. Two of these are cyberbullying and grooming, the former more frequent than the latter, although the consequences of the latter may become more destructive.
We have recently learned that according to an Eset company (company specialized in computer security solutions) 36% of young people between 14 and 29 years old in Latin America, have said they suffered some kind of attack while surfing the net. And the IKG Institute of the University of Bielefeld (Germany), has conducted an online survey among schoolchildren, which shows that Approximately half of cyberbullying victims have been bothered by the distribution of humiliating photos. This study also reveals that German schoolchildren also suffer from a type of sexual cyberbullying, for which, against their desire, they are persistently required to speak online about sex, commonly by people who know little or nothing.
Without going so far, and if we go to any high school class and ask the boys, several of them will say they know someone in their environment who has had problems due to misuse of the Internet, or for not having taken precautions
Although we have previously published articles on this topic, I want to share with you information about En Familia with Useful recommendations for parents and children.
Clarification of concepts:
What is cyberbullying (or cyberbullying)?
It is when a child harasses another child with threats, insults, coercion, blackmail, humiliation or slander, using new information and communication technologies (ICT): mobile phone, Internet, chat, social networks, etc.
To talk about harassment the facts must be repeated over time for a prolonged period. Victims and stalkers are of similar ages and have relationship or contact in the physical world. Many times the harassment begins in the real world, and then goes into the virtual world.
Cyberbullying represents a clear threat to the victim, being able to create situations of psychic and physical risk, and can become a crime. The stalker usually has a false sense of impunity
Some behaviors may not be punished, despite being typified in the Criminal Code, because they are considered counterproductive for minors or because they are carried out by subjects under 14 years of age, who are considered to be imputable for the purposes of criminal responsibility. The parents of these children will have the subsidiary civil responsibility.
What is grooming?
In the case of grooming, harassment is also through new technologies (chat, social networks, etc.), but it is not among equals, but the stalker is an adult and the victim a minor, and there will be an explicit or implicit sexual intention. In this form of harassment, situations of danger to minors are more subtle and latent. These are actions taken to establish, in a deliberate way, an emotional relationship and control over a minor, in order to prepare the ground for sexual abuse.
Stalkers have a preference for a prepubertal or pubertal and are often married men. The child is usually naive and does not realize that he "talks" with an adult. The stalker ends up confessing his age and asking for secrecy; convinces them that they should not tell the parents, because they would not understand
In this way you get personal data and photographs, which will be increasingly with less clothes. Grooming can be considered as a crime included in the so-called exhibitionism, dissemination of pornographic content and corruption of minors. Internet provides a sense of anonymity, but It is important to keep in mind that today you can find out the exact place and the computer equipment used, although not necessarily the person who performed the grooming.
Recommendations to consider
Information for children:
On the Internet you must use pseudonyms or personal nicknames that are only known by a circle of contacts.
It is necessary to be careful with personal data They are published.
Take special care when uploading audiovisual and graphic content on the Internet.
Do not accept or add as contact strangers.
Do not send images or videos to users in whom there is no full confidence.
Communicate to parents or guardians any risk situation (if a third party requests issues related to sexual aspects).
Here you have more information to convey to children the need to 'build' a healthier Internet, and another article on the page of the National Police Corps, created especially for the little ones.
Tips for parents
They must get involved in your children's use of the Internet.
Computers with a webcam and Internet access must be in common areas of the house.
Establish a schedule for Internet and computer use.
Educate in the responsible use of the webcam.
Educate in responsible image dissemination (Do not send to strangers, or hang according to what images).
Supervise, avoiding being intrusive.
Open communication with children addressing the benefits and risks of ICT.
Educate in self-protection: Be careful when providing data online and on social networks.
A commitment from the whole society and especially from families is necessary, not only to protect children, but to ensure that they are responsible to others.
