Just about a month ago, I stopped by a friend's hostel to say hi and know how he is doing. Somehow, our conversation got to a point where he said this "it will be hard for parents to hide somethings from their children, especially sex related contents. Many children will learn many things way before their parent or teacher educate them" He said so because he saw me downloading from a website then an ad popped on the screen showing a lady who's almost naked and had this "will you like to see me?" on the ad. That ad was just one out of many other ads on that particular website. Some sites automatically directs you to another page on every first click and then you'd have to press the back/ return button on your phone for the right page to appear. The wrong page always have very bad contents, which are mostly sex related.
Now that the world has gone very digital, it will truly be more easier for kids to see, hear and learn what they aren't suppose to see, hear or learn. Let's put aside sex related contents, there are more than enough lifestlyes, advices and POVs (Point of View) been aired freely on social media platform, Instagram and TikTok mostly. Ignorant children (teens) who have access to phone and internet wouldn't know who is right or wrong, they just want to enjoy social media, stay updated and be able to relate when there's a gist on what's trending.
Parents have an important role to play in monitoring what their kids are up to and I can tell you that it is not easy because parents would only try their best. With the help of Google, there is a way parents can control what their children do on the internet. A way to restrict the sites the children visit on their smartphone, which is cool. But, kids are now starter these days. There are numerous tutorials online on how to slip away from this Google restriction that was initiated by parents. Some children go as far as creating new Gmail and Google account which their parents do not know of and can't monitor.
Owners of platforms or sites also need to be responsible for the content they allow on their websites. It is the choice of very websites owner to allow whatever they want on their websites literally because they are the owners, besides, many of these website owners are paid to have the ad on their websites which is one of the main source of income for websites. So, I do not think it will e possible for website owners to be more selective about what they allow on their websites and same thing with social media platform owners; they can't automatically control it.
For example Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) has an option in the setting to view 18+ contents. What to watch and listen to is depends on the user. Parents are the ones who should rigidly monitor their kids which is not 100% effective because parents won't always be with their children. Some kids could do whatever they wish when their parent aren't around or get influence by friends and neighbours. The only thing I think would help and compliment parents monitoring their kids activities online is teaching, showing and demonstrating good morals and it benefits, teach them about their faith (religion), discuss with the kids one on one and educating them about what they shouldn't know or get involved in yet and particular provide answers to questions they ask since kids are always curious, also, parent should build a very intimate relationship with their kids so the kids can be very free to express themselves and confide in the parents hiding nothing. I believe these could also help parents monitor their kids and keep them away from contents that are dangerous for kids.
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Kids are getting smarter these days and yes they are very well aware that through which way they can hide their activities. So it's responsibility of owners that they should make sure that their content is being consumed by over 18! Simply checking the box that I am over 18 will not work here.
That 18 year check box is a joke. They could easily lie and access the content they want to consume.
It really necessary to always endeavour to provide answers to this kids question anytime they come to ask us. Because it will be better for them to ask us than to ask a total stranger and fall into a wrong hands.
Thank you for sharing out
As you mentioned, there is an option in Instagram where you can enable or disable 18 plus content. But if a child is 18 years old and uses Instagram, is Instagram asking for any proof from the child that he is 18 plus and can consume adult content? If a child wants to see this content, he can see any kind of content there because nowadays there are many such options on the internet with the help of which we can also see objectionable content. Although this should be the responsibility of the social media platform owner, but nowadays rich people have to think only about their profit, they do not care who is consuming what kind of content etc.
This is such a a timely and relevant post
It's heartbreaking to think about the potential harm that social media can cause our kids. Thanks for highlighting the importance of monitoring their online activity and having open conversations with them about digital citizenship. And monitoring is not really about snooping or controlling (like most parents do nowadays, sadly) but about being aware and guiding them to make positive choices online.
I hope parents do better.
Thank you for sharing this🙏
You're right. The monitoring shouldn't be by force or control but from a place of love that is obvious to the kids.
Thank you for stopping by.