The need for information is today one of the basic human needs. It is as important as warmth, food, sleep. Since ancient times, man has sought, summarized and transmitted information about the things around him. All activities are closely related to the exchange of information. During it, patterns of behavior, social norms, the basics of science, law, and art are assimilated.
When adults explain something to a child, they contribute to the formation of a special information field around him. Meanwhile, living conditions are constantly changing, the content and volume of data received by people is changing. This, in turn, makes it necessary to ensure the information security of the population in general and minors in particular. In our article, we will try to understand what risks exist for children and how they can be eliminated.
Relevance of the issue
It is no secret that the modern stage of human development is called the century of information technology. Today, a person receives various information from a variety of sources. It is far from always possible to filter out information, to select the really needed data. It is especially difficult for children.
To understand the extent of the problem, let's compare the acquisition of information with food intake. Such a comparison is well founded. Indeed, the need for information is just as important today as the need for food. There are foods that cannot be consumed or that are not suitable for the body. The same can be said about information. Not all information needs to be perceived by the child. Any information will have an effect on him: weak, strong, harmful, useful. Accordingly, it is necessary to be selective when using certain information. But if adults in general manage to cope with this task, then this does not work in children. Therefore, ensuring the information security of children rests with adults. A special role is played by parents and teachers.
Global changes in the information space are caused by technological progress. The development of technology not only contributes to the emergence of new opportunities, but also carries all sorts of risks. Until relatively recently, so often they did not talk about the information security of children. The fact is that before the flow of information received by the child was strictly controlled by adults. Parents were not allowed to talk with strangers, to be friends with "bad peers."
With the advent of home computers and unlimited internet, the situation has changed dramatically. Children got free access to social networks, chat rooms, forums, sites, games and other resources of different quality. As a result, they simply hit a huge amount of information, which not everyone can filter. The problem is aggravated by the fact that often the child is left alone with the Internet, and many parents are not good at using the PC.
Internet danger
According to surveys, the World Wide Web is the second most important source of information for most high school students. The third place is occupied by the school, in the first place are parents with a small margin. The Internet currently plays a significant role in raising children. The formation of a world picture, a model of behavior, a way of thinking is carried out under the influence of information from the Web.
The Internet is rightly called the virtual world. Of course, it is quite closely connected with reality. On the Web, you can earn money, order products, clothes, discuss news, etc. On the Internet, as in life, there are "bad" companies, forums, chats. It often shows forbidden films, clips, etc.
Any normal parent is not indifferent to whom his child communicates with, what sources of information he uses, what books he reads, watches films, and what kind of music he listens to. As for the Internet, very often adults forget about the importance of information security. Children are at home, not on the street - this reassures parents. Meanwhile, the minor remains alone with the virtual world - with strangers to him who are able to influence his behavior.
It is impossible not to say that the authority of people on the Web is significantly higher than the authority of teachers. This is a very disturbing fact. Indeed, before the school played, if not a key, then a significant role in the education of the younger generation. Currently, the influence of teachers is significantly lower. If this trend continues, then the formation of personality will occur not in the real world, but in the virtual. At the same time, the authority of the parents will be jeopardized.
Children Information Security Concept
The protection of the younger generation must be carried out, of course, comprehensively. First of all, information security measures for children should be carried out by parents. In this case, it is necessary to take such measures so that the child does not feel restrained. It is important not to lose the trust of children.
Information security is a set of measures aimed at protecting minors from the negative impact of information. This is not only about the Internet, but also about other sources - TV, radio, books, etc.
The most important role in maintaining the information security of children is played by teachers. Together with their parents, they should develop measures aimed at protecting the younger generation. The collaboration is important, otherwise all the efforts of the parents may be in vain.
Of considerable importance is the participation of the authorities. At the state level, today programs are being developed to ensure the information security of children, laws are being adopted, responsibility for their violation is being established. Each institution must have local acts that reflect and specify federal regulations that adapt them to specific conditions.
Parental control
How can children's information security be maintained? This question worries many adults. One of the most effective ways of protection today is considered parental control. This option is present in the functionality of most anti-virus programs. In addition, parental control can be set using special programs.
This option allows you to configure your PC so that a specific user, i.e., a child in this case, does not have access to any Internet resources, cannot start applications (for example, games), or can use a computer only for a certain time.
Advantages and disadvantages of parental control
This solution, of course, has a lot of advantages. Firstly, the information security of children with the installed parental control option is guaranteed. Adults may not worry that their child will open unwanted sites, spend all day on games, etc. It should be noted the flexibility of the configuration tools. In order not to infringe on the child at all, you can configure access to games for a certain time period, create a list of allowed resources, etc.
However, there are negative aspects to this decision. If a child is forbidden to open certain resources at home, he may well do so at a visit to some friend. In addition, parental control can be bypassed. If a child copes with this, then perhaps it is worth noting his abilities and directing them in the right direction? For example, he may be interested in programming, researching a computer network, etc.
Site Blocking
Parental control, of course, is a good option in the antivirus program - the information security of children will be ensured at the required level (in any case, when the child with the computer settings is “you”). Meanwhile, sooner or later, a minor will be able to get to once banned sites. He may not be ready for the information contained in them.
To block or not - it is up to each parent to decide. Undoubtedly, there is content access to which should be expressly prohibited. These are pornographic sites, ads leading to them, chat rooms, etc. Blocking ads is useful not only for children, but also for adults. Indeed, without annoying banners, working on a computer is much more pleasant.
Opinions of experts
Many experts believe that parental control is the most important tool to ensure and maintain the information security of children on the Internet. However, experts make an important reservation. This tool is suitable for young children. Information security on the Web for older children can be provided in other ways. About them - further.
PC usage control
It is not necessary to set a password on the computer. Often enough to place the PC so that it is in full view of adults. In this case, it is easy to control the process of using a computer. In this case, the actions of parents will be more correct and tactful. Adults will be able to imperceptibly for the child to observe his actions and coordinate them.
Recommendations of specialists
Experts do not recommend putting a computer in a child’s room, buying him modern gadgets, including tablets and smartphones. According to statistics, at present, almost half of primary school children use trendy phones and have access to the Internet. At the same time, it is completely unclear why they need such gadgets. After all, children have uncontrolled access to the Internet, and may become victims of robbers. If you need a connection with your child, just buy him a regular phone. If parents decide to purchase a fashionable smartphone, it is advisable to establish parental control on it.
We direct the energy of the child in the right direction
All the risks that exist today, quite frankly, parasitize on the inability of children to filter out unnecessary information on their own. The problem is also complicated by a decrease in the level of culture in the country, insufficient effectiveness of the mechanism of social adaptation of the younger generation. Today, unfortunately, children often have nowhere to get the social skills they need. They have no source of moral values. What parents and the school give is important. But this is extremely small today.
Parents today have a great responsibility. Adults have to instill in their children a culture and raise its level. This is a very difficult task. The fact is that today there is continuous propaganda of the cult of money, consumption, lack of culture, "steepness." It is difficult to eliminate its negative effects. Parents need to be interested in the life of the child, talk with him, discuss the events taking place in his life.
For example, if he likes to watch movies on the Internet, it is quite possible to talk about it, at the same time tell about the history of cinema or interesting facts. It is important to show him really high-quality and good films filled with meaning.
If he is interested in gadgets, you should buy a useful item. For example, an e-book. Perhaps she will help instill a love of reading.
If a child is interested in the structure of sites, the contents of a computer, it is likely that a good programmer will grow out of it. Perhaps you should give it to a circle of young programmers.
It is necessary to help the child to reveal his talents. Except for parents, no one will.
Formation of a single information field
The child and his parents should be in a single information space. This does not mean that adults need to indulge children in everything. On the contrary, you need to constantly interact with the child, agree with him, change his environment for the better. Of course, you must try to spend as much time with him as possible.
Important point
I must say that often parents themselves erect a wall in front of the children. Sometimes this is due to unwillingness to understand the child, indifference to him, to his interests, feelings, experiences. Overcoming the wall is very difficult. It is important to create such conditions in the family in which the child could calmly share his experiences. Adults, in turn, need to be sensitive to them.
Conclusion
Currently, parents face a difficult task. They need to create a favorable information climate for their children. It must be remembered that the child will not disappear on the Internet if he is busy with interesting things for him.
Of course, in the process of studying, he will have to use the Network. It may be worth compiling a memo on information security. For children, the participation of parents in their lives is very important. It is necessary to explain to them why it is undesirable to use certain resources. It is important to make it clear to children that adults are interested in their normal development.