In a second edition, to mark the International Safer Internet Day recognised February 8, dedicated to highlighting issues around internet safety for all, The New Times in partnership with UNICEF Rwanda, asked young writers to share their perspectives about online safety, and below are some of their views and tips on the subject: It’s a dangerous world out there By Belyse Uwase We all know we need to stay safe while using the internet, but we may not know just how to do that. In the past, internet safety was mostly about protecting your computer from viruses, but today, the internet’s vast reach, constantly changing technologies have made users more vulnerable to identify theft, privacy violation and even harassment. Practice safe browsing: If you are wondering how to safely surf the web for both personal and professional use, it is important to follow safe internet browsing practice. Without the proper safeguards, you expose yourself to identity and data theft and even computer damage. Using the same password for multiple sites only makes it easier to compromise your sensitive information. Secure your internet connection: In the ways of securing your internet there are critical areas that should be tested first for your internet security so, focus should be on firewalls, web servers, router, switches and system that are open to mass crowd. And also, you should test your antivirus strength because the strength of your antivirus will help you to avoid spyware and integrity theft. Be careful what you download: Most of the youth lack curiosity whereby they only prefer free downloads, but most of them are viruses which access your computer and damage it indirectly. Just as you would take precaution for safe online shopping, you should be equally careful when you download files to your devices. Viruses, malware and Trojans are more rampant than ever which is why you should take precaution before you download something. Choose a strong password: A strong password provides essential protection from financial fraud and identity theft. One of the most common ways that hackers break into a computer is by guessing password. Simple and commonly used password enable intruders to easily gain access and control of a computing device. What makes a password strong is length, a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols, and remember no ties to personal information and no dictionary words. Be careful on who you meet online: Talking to people online can be especially dangerous to children and girls. According to an MSNBC investigation, older men and paedophiles browse online forums to meet younger girls and children. Even if you tell an individual only your name and the town you live in, he may still be able to track you down. Make online purchases from secure sites: Secure websites are configured to mask the data you share such as password or financial info. Shopping only on secure sites reduces the risk that your private information will be compromised while you shop, and also using unsecured sites increases the risk of fraud. Better to be safe than sorry By Joyeuse Ikirezi Granted, we cannot completely stop using the internet, rather, control ourselves and use it as wisely as possible in order to stay date. Protecting your privacy is key to avoiding all misfortunes. Avoid conversations with strangers because you don’t know their true intentions. Don’t seek friends online just because you feel lonely, you do not know them. At the end of the day, the ‘friend’ is not even using their real profile. Talk to the people and real friends you know. Know how to limit yourself on social media as over-sharing may bring you trouble. For example, going on Instagram and sharing your location, job, home address, and et cetera, may just attract the wrong people. Downloading content on our devices might create a window for hackers who can steal your personal information and use it to swindle your friends. The internet has many advantages, including helping with research, boosting business and marketing, but be careful. Stay safe, and keep the faith By Honorine Twizerimana Many people say that being a good Christian is not possible in this secular age. Temptations and distractions are everywhere. However, technology today is making everything favourable in terms of saving, making money, relationship development, transport, health and property ownership. Every career is linked with online working. It’s not only employment or jobs, even studying is being done online using the internet. In modern cities, the internet is one of the basics needed to survive, neglecting its demand can result in deficiency one way or another. Safety is supposed to be our first concern. There are associated risks of being online, and the issues grow by the day. Now we have cases of human trafficking, bullying and other forms of emotional, physical, and spiritual abuse all over the internet. We all use social media as means of communication, like WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, Telegram, Snapchat, Twitter and others are still being developed. We are all exposed to the risks if we don’t take precaution. You can lose your money, friends, family, job, reputation and other valuable things in your life if you are not careful. The rate of depression is increasing, among the reasons for its growth, I am very sure that the internet is included. We have to develop online safety precautions which will help us to live free from destruction. Social media is now our greatest opportunity to share the Word of God, and messages of peace. Here are some tips: • Keep your privacy settings on. • Be careful when browsing. Remember to close all unrelated tabs. • Be careful when carrying out online purchases. Buying online can be risky, you can lose money, or get expired products. • Be careful where downloading videos and pictures. • Download from secure sites. • Be careful when posting. There are some people who can use our posts to violate us. • Use strong passwords and change them periodically. • Report any form of violence, either emotional, physical, mental, spiritual or financial to security agencies. Do you know what your kids are doing on the internet? By Sandrine Ishimwe The internet is an increasing part of today’s life, especially for young people, they access valuable material such as research on schoolwork, current events, among other things, and also get to chat with friends on social media platforms. However, there are real dangers that linger there as well. Understanding what your kids do online is absolutely necessary to protect them from digital threats, because these days, young kids can access the internet on their phones or tablets, even on the computers in their bedrooms, where they can find sexual predators, dangerous or inappropriate websites, online fraud and scams and so on. Has it ever crossed your mind that your kid might be a victim of bullying on social media? It’s called cyberbullying. According to a survey conducted by Comparitech, a digital platform which strives to promote cyber security and privacy for all, although the majority of parents reported bullying occurring in school, 19.2% stated that bullying occurred through social media sites and apps. According to a study by L1GHT, essentially an API online platform that helps identify and manage toxic content, online toxicity and cyberbullying increased up to 70%, due to the pandemic and lockdowns. Cyberbullying includes offensive name-calling, purposeful embarrassment, physical threats, stalking, sexual harassment and sustained harassment. Your kids might also be exposed to online information that promotes hate, violence, and pornography. Kids being exposed to violence in video games or hate in movies and some YouTube channels is risky because it can increase aggressiveness in their everyday life. Kids may watch pornography online sent by a friend and for young children, it can be uncomfortable, upsetting, and confusing. As stated before, understanding what your kids do online helps you to protect them, that’s why parents should actually be concerned about their kids’ internet use. They should also take some measures, for instance, install security apps in their phones. Knowing your kid’s friends on the internet is also an effective way to keep them safe, and talk openly about online risks and how to avoid them, and most importantly, that they can come to you when something goes wrong.
