by AKANI CHAUKE
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – RECENT unsettling world events have reinforced the message that the internet is no place for unsupervised minors.
This is according to an industry executive as South Africa marks October as Cyber security Awareness Month.
According to Sasha Booth-Beharilal, chair of the Internet Service Providers’ Association of South Africa (ISPA), while the internet is a great enabler of education, parents and guardians must realise online and offline threats from bullies to predators are real.
“Fortunately, active and aware parenting coupled with the right technological tools can do much to protect children in cyberspace,” the official said.
ISPA says open, honest, two-way communication with children, particularly high-scholars and pre-teens, is vital to enhancing their online safety.
It encouraged parents to talk to children about cyber safety and listen to their online experiences.
They must explain to them the importance of being just as safe online as offline and remind them that social media posts can come back to haunt them later in life, jeopardising future job, education and relationship prospects.
Next, the security and privacy settings of any smart devices and toys connected to the internet must be checked often.
ISPA always advises on the necessity of reporting cyber crime.
The South Africa Police Service has a Cyber crime Division.
Any parent or person who suspects illegal online activity can utilize the ISPA’s Take-Down Notice (TDN) procedure.
Unlawful Content that infringes on personal rights such as harassment or hate speech, and that is also being unknowingly hosted by an ISPA member, can be subject to a formal TDN request in terms of the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act, 2002.
– CAJ News