Experts state that children's digital footprint is everything they share online, meaning social media posts, website visits, online applications and games, and even personal information they share online. “Check your children's online accounts,” said Dr. Lecturer Nuri Bingöl, “Check your child's social media, game, and other online accounts. Check privacy settings and review your child's shared information.” he warned.
Lecturer Murat Demirci from the Cyber Security Master's Program, on the other hand, emphasized the importance of participating in safe online activities with children.
Üsküdar Üniversitesi Faculty of Health Sciences Vice Dean, Head of Artificial Intelligence Engineering Master's Program Dr. Lecturer Nuri Bingöl and Cyber Security Master's Program Lecturer Murat Demirci provided information on how families can control children's digital footprint.
Everything shared online is a digital footprint…
“Children's digital footprint is everything they share online,” said Dr. Lecturer Nuri Bingöl, noting that this includes social media posts, website visits, online applications and games, and even personal information shared online.
Dr. Lecturer Nuri Bingöl noted that controlling children's digital footprints is important because it can help keep them safe online. “Children may not be aware of the risks they may encounter online. For example, sharing their personal information online can make them vulnerable to dangers such as phishing, fraud, or exploitation.” he said.
Monitor your children's online activities…
Listing the steps to control children's digital footprints, Dr. Lecturer Nuri Bingöl warned families: “Talk to them about their online activities. Find out what your children do online, which sites they visit, and which apps they use. Talk to them about online safety and privacy. Monitor your children's online activities. You can use various tools to track your child's internet usage. These tools allow you to track which sites your child visits, how much time they spend, and what kind of content they access. Check your children's online accounts. Check your child's social media accounts, gaming accounts, and other online accounts. Check privacy settings and review your child's shared information. Provide your children with digital security education. Inform your children about online safety and privacy. Warn them about the dangers of sharing personal information online.”
Family internet plan allows parents to monitor their children's internet usage
Dr. Lecturer Nuri Bingöl noted that there are various tools and methods that can be used to control children's internet usage. “These tools and methods may vary depending on factors such as the child's age, interests, and parental concerns. Parental control software allows parents to track and restrict their children's internet usage. Managed devices allow parents to remotely control their children's devices. These devices enable you to control which applications your child can use, how long they can stay online, and which websites they can access. A family internet plan is an internet plan that allows parents to monitor and restrict their children's internet usage. These plans enable parents to control how long their children can stay online and which websites they can access.” he explained.
How to protect children's privacy with digital monitoring and restriction methods?
Lecturer Murat Demirci from the Cyber Security Master's Program, who made evaluations on the subject, also pointed out that digital monitoring and restriction methods can be used in various ways to protect children's privacy, saying, “These methods can help reduce the risks children may encounter online and encourage them to make safe online decisions.”
Parents should inform their children when monitoring their online activities
Lecturer Murat Demirci also pointed out some ways in which digital monitoring and restriction methods can be used to protect children's privacy: “Monitoring children's online activities can help protect them from online threats such as exploitation or harassment. By tracking their children's online activities, parents can determine if children are accessing inappropriate content or interacting with dangerous individuals. Checking the privacy settings of children's online accounts can help prevent them from sharing personal information online. Educating children about online safety and privacy can help encourage them to make safe online decisions. It is important that these methods are used in a way that respects children's privacy. Parents should respect their children's privacy when monitoring their online activities and inform them when checking their accounts.” he said.
Be careful not to violate your child's privacy
“Respect your child's privacy. When monitoring your child's online activities, be careful not to violate your child's privacy,” said Demirci. “Children are exposed to digital media at an early age, so it is important to start digital media education early. Talk to your child about digital media and establish open and honest communication with them.” he said.
Demirci also emphasized the importance of providing children with information about safety and privacy: “Warn them about the dangers of sharing personal information online.
Offer your children opportunities to be in safe online environments. Participate in safe online activities with your child. You can play online games together, or attend online classes. These steps can help reduce the risks your children may encounter online and encourage them to make safe online decisions.” he concluded.