'The Subject': see how parents can increase the digital safety of children and teenagers in 7 tips

Parents and guardians can adopt measures to increase the safety of children and adolescents in the digital environment, such as configuring the cell phone according to the user's age, using parental controls and monitoring the use of applications. The recommendations were presented by journalist Renata Cafardo in this Friday's episode (14) of the podcast "O Assunto". Renata is the author of the book "The Family Algorithm" and researches the relationship between children, teenagers, families and digital platforms. According to her, supervision by those responsible should be part of the family routine and adapted to the age of the child or adolescent. Understand the tips: 1. Cell phone configured with the correct age One of the first measures recommended by the journalist is to check how the device is configured. According to Renata, the device must be associated with the real age of the child or teenager, and not that of an adult. This allows the protection features available in the system to be applied according to the age group. The configuration, however, is not enough. Renata also recommends the use of parental controls. 2. Use parental controls Parents can use specific parental control tools or resources available in the operating systems themselves. These mechanisms allow you to monitor digital activity and, in some cases, receive alerts about certain content searched or accessed. Renata cites the Qustodio app, which she says she uses and recommends. According to the journalist, the tool can send notifications to those responsible when it identifies research related to topics such as violence, pornography and mental health. It is also possible to follow searches and videos accessed on YouTube. 3. Parents must know the cell phone password Another recommendation presented in the podcast is that those responsible know the password for the cell phone used by the child or teenager. For Renata, there should not be an expectation of absolute privacy when it comes to minors and an environment that can pose risks. Supervision, however, must be explained to the child. "It's not controlling, but it's supervising this digital experience," he said. According to her, children need to know that their cell phone can be monitored and understand that the measure aims to protect them. 4. Monitor applications Renata also recommends that guardians periodically monitor applications used by their children, such as WhatsApp. She advocates that this monitoring be incorporated into the family routine, instead of only occurring when parents are suspicious of a situation. Supervision should change depending on age. According to the journalist, older children and teenagers can gradually gain more autonomy, but they still need to know that their guardians are monitoring their digital experience. 5. Cell phones are not 'digital nannies' Renata also warns of the risk of turning cell phones into a kind of "digital nanny". According to her, if the family chooses to allow the child to have a cell phone or access to social networks, supervision must be maintained. Technology, in the journalist's opinion, should not be treated just as a form of entertainment that keeps children busy when parents cannot be present. 6. Talk about risks In addition to technological controls, Renata highlights the importance of conversations at home. Those responsible must explain the risks that exist on the internet in a manner appropriate to the age of the child or adolescent. She compares guidance on digital safety to other conversations that are part of raising children, such as those about food, alcohol, safe sex and other risks. For Renata, technology cannot be treated just as fun. You will talk about navigating the digital environment safely", she stated. The recommendation is that this conversation be frequent and follow the child's development. 7. Supervision is not just control Renata highlights that the responsibility for the digital safety of children and adolescents should not be placed exclusively on parents. According to her, this is a challenge for the entire society, which needs to deal with a generation that already grows up connected. At the same time, those responsible need to recognize that knowing how to use technology does not necessarily mean having the emotional or ethical maturity to deal with it. Therefore, the The combination of adequate configuration, parental controls, monitoring and dialogue is seen as a way to make the digital experience of children and teenagers safer.