Are you worried about online bullying?

We have been supporting some campaigns to raise awareness about keeping children safe online, and Mummy agrees that most parents are extremely worried about online bullying and what their children can access online.

Us children are now using technology such as tablets and mobile phones from a young age. (I do have an iPad, but obviously I don’t go online!) As part of ongoing research a voucher code website www.myvouchercodes.co.uk​ has spoken to parents to find out their concerns over children using technology as part of their everyday lives. This has also featured on Tech Lounge.

The website wanted to find out how worried parents were about the technology in their children’s lives and see how worried they were about parenting issues which could come up. My Voucher Codes asked: “How would you rate the following parenting issues related to technology?” Rated from Not at all Worried, to Concerned, to Extremely Worried.

The results are –

• Online bullying – 58% Extremely Worried
• Accessing adult content  – 49% Extremely Worried
• Sharing inappropriate images – 49% Extremely Worried
• Grooming – 48% Concerned
• Access to extremism – 44% Concerned
• Addiction to social media – 57% Concerned
• Effects on Education – 66% Concerned
• Privacy – 55% Concerned
• Effect on long term health – 49% Concerned
• Running up huge bills. – 65% Not at all Worried

 

So how can you protect your children from these problems?

You can set parental controls on your internet hub to prevent anyone accessing unsuitable content.

You have to trust your children too, to tell you if anything is happening online that shouldn’t be.

It is also important to keep an eye on what your children are doing online and on social media as well as who is contacting them.

The internet is a wonderful amazing place though, where we can all learn so much, it’s just important to be aware of online safety.

Are you worried about your children being online? What do you do help keep them safe?