Online Risks For Children: Gaming apps, messaging platforms, YouTube, artificial intelligence chat tools, and school digital devices are now a part of children's everyday lives.

How much online freedom should children be given?

How Much Online Freedom Should Children Have? Today's parents are raising children in a world where owning a smartphone is commonplace for a ten-year-old child. Gaming apps, messaging platforms, YouTube, artificial intelligence chat tools, and school digital devices are now part of children's everyday lives. The biggest question, then, is how much freedom should children be given in the online world, and at what age? Experts believe this isn't just a matter of screen time, but a larger issue related to children's digital understanding and mental safety.

Why are the responsibilities of parents increasing?

David Smith, CEO of Los Angeles-based Silicon Valley High School, which works on technology-based online education, says that today, children use multiple devices simultaneously. Parents are no longer managing just one mobile screen, but a whole world of apps, games, and online communities.Many platforms are designed to keep children engaged for extended periods of time, so parents' responsibilities are greater than ever.

Will just imposing restrictions work?

However, appropriate online freedom can also be beneficial for children. The internet provides children with new information, creativity, and learning opportunities. A large 2017 European study published in the Journal of Communication included 6,400 children and their parents from eight countries. It found that children who communicated openly with their children, rather than simply restricting them, developed better digital skills and safer online habits. The research also revealed that excessive restrictions can limit children's ability to learn and build confidence.

When is it necessary to set boundaries?

Experts believe that the decision about giving children online freedom shouldn't be based solely on age. According to David Smith, two children of the same age can have vastly different understandings and responsibility-taking abilities. If a child openly discusses their online activity, tells parents when they see something inappropriate, and follows established rules, it's a sign that they can handle more digital freedom. However, if a child starts hiding their online activity, becomes more irritable, or is unable to control their screen time, they need more limits.

Why is it important to talk to children?

A 2023 study published in the journal Computers in Human Behavior involved nearly 3,000 parents and children. It found that parents who communicated openly with their children had more accurate information about their children's true online lives. Whereas parents who relied solely on monitoring apps and technical surveillance often remained under false pretenses. Experts say that building a trusting relationship with children is more important than any parental control app.