It's no wonder children are drawn to the Internet. There they can find a world of fun and exciting things to do. But, with accessibility comes the increased risk of children becoming victims of online predators. This is even truer for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
What Types of Issues Can Children Encounter When Using the Internet?
In the past few years, the Internet has become a hub for children and teens who become more and more exposed to "harmful" material online, including disturbing images, adult content, and the collection of personal information. Parents of children with Autism are especially concerned, so many turn to Autism Parenting Magazine, a great resource.
Children must have developed social and emotional building blocks before venturing online. These will help them withstand some of the downsides of online life. This is especially true for children with ASD. All parents, and especially those of children with ASD, should be aware of some of the more common problems associated with young children online.
Online Bullying
Unfortunately, some kids can be cruel; that is an unavoidable fact of life. Cyberbullying is a form of abuse that occurs online. Cyberbullying can take many forms, but some of the most common are sending abusive messages or text messages, posting offensive images, posting abusive blog posts or comments, or using any other means to bully others online. Sadly, your child may be more likely to become a victim of this problem due to their ASD.
Cyber Predators
Those who exploit young people sexually and otherwise through the Internet are known as cyber predators. The goal of cyber predators is to gain their victims' trust by making them believe that they are someone else or telling lies about themselves. One in five children is estimated to be sexually solicited online.
Public Posting of Private Information
This is something that many children do, but a child with ASD may be more prone to posting private information. That information then becomes public, can be seen by anyone and everyone, and the information never goes away. This could pose a huge security threat to the child and their family.
Phishing
Phishing has quickly become the most popular type of cybercrime on the Internet. Cybercriminals are now adept at designing all kinds of phishing attacks, using the latest techniques, including spoofing, spamming, and even using fake websites that look real. It is a danger that many people fall for, not only those with ASD.
Falling Victim to Scams
While phishing is a type of scam, others are more obvious. One example is social scamming, whereby someone will contact you and pretend to be from a bank. They convince you to give over sensitive details that you otherwise wouldn't. Again, many people fall for this, not just those with ASD.
Malware
Malware often comes from installing programs that look real but can cause major havoc on your life. Even if the malware software installed is not targeting you, it could be using your computer for other criminal activities, typically without you knowing.
Posts That They Regret Later In Life
Most people have posted something they later regret. Just look at most celebrity news. However, without the proper guidance, a child with ASD could be more likely to post things on social media that they shouldn't, causing much regret in the future.
How Can You Minimize These Challenges?
Most common online threats can be reduced or eliminated, read on to learn how to safeguard your child with ASD.
Safeguard Your Internet Access at Home
Images, videos, and information abound on the Internet. It has a lot of positive content, but some things are not suitable for children to see. Home networks can be made as safe as possible by several measures:
Keep computers in common areas: You should keep your main computer in a place where everyone can access it. A good idea is the main living room. This will enable you to monitor your child's usage without seeming over-intrusive.
Install filters and firewalls: An Internet firewall is a computer software designed to prevent unwanted material from entering or leaving the network. The Internet firewall is generally regarded as a single layer of protection, while a comprehensive antivirus system is typically considered two.
Buy a Mac or install antivirus/ malware software on your PC: Antivirus software protects your PC from getting infected. It’s designed to scan a computer for viruses. It is usually intended to be self-contained (the program doesn't connect to other computers) and should have a web-based interface.
Use child-friendly browsers: A browser is how you access the Internet. There are various child-friendly browsers available that have great features built-in. These features will automatically block certain websites of search queries with minimal input from you.
Educate Your Children About the Use of the Internet
You teach your child basic skills every day, and using the Internet safely is no different. Following are some suggestions of things you can teach them to stay safe online.
What Is Acceptable Usage?
Your child should know when, how, and what is acceptable Internet usage. Discuss the types of things that are okay for them to view and the kinds of things that are not. For example, you could have a general rule that if they can't watch something on television, they can’t watch it online either.
They Can Talk to You If Anything Bothers Them
If something upsets your child, make sure they know they can come to you or someone else they trust. Then, if necessary, you can teach them about what it is that upset them and show them how to stay away from such content in the future.
It Is Not Okay to Share Information Online
You should explain that it is not okay to share personal information about yourself online. You can encourage them to take safety measures, such as using an avatar rather than a real photo. Tell them to let you know if anyone asks for their real name, photo, or location.
Politeness Extends to the Online Realm
As a final recommendation, talk to your child about politeness rules that are equally important when communicating online. Encouraging them to be polite online could also defuse potentially upsetting situations.
By teaching your child with ASD some basic rules to abide by, you can ensure a safe environment for your child to discover the online world.
About the Author:
Allen Brown is a keen writer covering topics such as Internet Marketing, SEO, Travel, Beauty and the such. He enjoys his favorite pastime is spending time with his two kids.
