In early childhood, children are just beginning to explore digital devices and online platforms, but their perception of online interaction and risks involved is very limited. Since the concept of online security can the hard to absorb (if at all possible), their parents and/or caregivers play a crucial role in establishing basic digital safety practices, and are supposed to supervise kids’ internet usage, utilize child-friendly websites and applications, and teach them about the overall importance of privacy. Later, around ages of 7-11, as kids become more proficient in using technology, exploring social media, online gaming, and educational websites – so develops their perception of online security. At the same time though they encounter risks such as cyberbullying, inappropriate content, or strangers online, which, again, puts responsibility on parents, teachers or caregivers to teach kids about rights, responsibilities, and behavior of individuals online, the importance of privacy settings. At this point encouraging kids to keep open communication about their online experiences becomes vital to keep a hand on the pulse in monitoring potential risks.
What can be the children’s perception of the negative and risky experiences online? Typically, they can be aware of such experience as inappropriate content, cyberbullying, online predators or grooming, harassment or exclusion and social isolation, and realize that they can cause emotional distress, sadness, fear, or anger.
Nevertheless children in this age group may still struggle to recognize subtle or indirect forms of negative interactions online. For instance, they may not be able to identify when the line is crossed between playful teasing, disagreements, and actual cyberbullying, or be aware that cyberbullying comes in different forms (exclusion, spreading rumors, or simply using hurtful language). Likewise, although they may have heard about potential dangers of digital world, and maybe have had personal experiences or know someone who has been affected by them, they may not yet fully comprehend the long-term emotional and psychological consequences that victims can face.
The good news is that as between the ages of 7-11 years children show the growth in empathy, and pinpoint the feelings, thoughts and specific reasons for behavioral of others (https://policywise.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Dr.-Tracy-Vaillancourt-Typical-Social-Emotional-Development-in-Children-7-10.pdf) , they are more likely to recognize when a peer is being mistreated online. They may already understand the importance of supporting the victim rather than just being a bystander, and offer the much needed emotional support or help report the incident and get the parents or teachers’ intervention.
Other age-appropriate understanding related to online security that can be checked and reinforced by parents and teachers can include: not sharing personal information (e.g. their full name, address, phone number, or school name), with strangers online, just like they wouldn’t offline 🙂 Along these lines comes the importance of involving adults when encountering unfamiliar situations, suspicious content, or potentially harmful interactions. And just like they would with any social interaction, children of this age group are expected to be treating others with respect, and being mindful of their online behavior and its impact on others.
