When It Comes To Your Children, Cyberdefense is Self-Defense

A Guide on How to Be A Cyber-Safe Parent

This is scary: In 2024, through October 5, the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) has received more than 456,000 reports of online enticement of children for sexual acts, extra-familial child sexual molestation, child pornography, child sex tourism, child sex trafficking, unsolicited obscene materials sent to children, misleading domain names, and misleading words or digital images on the internet.

Just writing that paragraph makes me want to vomit! Knowing there are such monsters out there who prey on innocent children is something every parent should be extremely worried and proactive about.

In a world where kids and teens live their lives online — from online learning and social media to gaming and entertainment, kids are increasingly connected; a simple post or friend request can have lasting and even devastating consequences. Adults target underaged victims on platforms like social media, online multiplayer games, or chat apps and send or ask for sexual content, meaning that victimization can happen right there at home.

As a parent, you play a critical role in protecting your children from online threats such as cyberbullying, inappropriate content, and identity theft. Being a cyber-safe parent…