Parental Controls: Dangers of Darknet
The Darknet is a hidden part of the Internet, accessible only through special browsers. Some people use it not only to search for information and communicate on closed platforms, but also to buy various goods and services, many of which are illegal, dangerous and not intended for children.
Parents can play a key role in keeping their children safe by educating them about threats from an early age and setting up additional controls in special programs and filters.
Different Threats for Different Age
Teaching your child cybersafe behavior is an important step in parenting. Along with saying that one must not talk to strangers or cross the street at the red light, it is also important to explain that you should not answer unknown numbers, click on ads in games or make purchases in them.
One of the most common misconceptions among parents is that all children's apps are useful and safe. Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Some applications are built on the principle of time killing and primitive engaging game mechanics; they may also contain built-in advertising, which does not always meet the age and interests of the child. Therefore, concerned parents will still have to sort out which game will just give their kid a temporary distraction, and which one will teach him or her something new. It is important to personally check apps before installing them, as they sometimes collect personal information such as access to contacts or device location. This can jeopardize the privacy of both children and parents.
From middle school onwards, children discover the Internet and communities on social networks and messengers on their own. They search for hobby clubs or popular games they've always wanted but couldn't get. Curiosity may lead children to the Darknet, where they can get the wished-for game for free from a torrent tracker.
Games downloaded from unknown sites and torrents may contain viruses that can steal important information from devices.
Another one of Darknet’s dangers is information on ways of making easy money that children can see by scrolling through forum posts. If children are unaware of online threats, they can easily believe these messages. Children's naivety and lack of life experience make them vulnerable to scammers, and their overconfidence only increases the risk. Criminals may manipulate children for their own selfish purposes. For example, they may offer to work as a courier. Such advertisements are widely found both on the Darknet and in social networks.
How to Protect Children from Darknet
It is important to build a relationship of trust with your children from an early age. They should not be afraid to come to you for advice, share their feelings and talk honestly about mistakes without fear of being scolded or punished by their parents. Talk regularly about cyber threats and current scams so that your child can recognize them. This is an important part of cyber hygiene, as well as explaining to your child that one must not share personal information online, open suspicious links or download files from unreliable sources.
Parental control software can also help keep children safe. It allows you not only to block unwanted content, but also to monitor activity on the Internet. It is advisable to install such software on all devices that your child uses and later customize filters according to his or her age and needs.
To prevent access to the Darknet, pay particular attention to blocking networks such as Tor and I2P - they can be used to access hidden sites. Make sure your parental control software blocks such applications and protocols.
Many parental control programs can also show which apps have been downloaded and used on your device. You can set filters for app usage or completely block access to them.
However, the most effective way for parents to protect their teens from the Darknet and other cyber threats is to be actively involved in their lives. Regular conversations about what kids do online, what sites they visit and who they socialize with will help prevent many problems.
All the tips will only help if used together, not separately. Keeping children safe online is a complex task that requires a comprehensive approach and joint effort.