Technology has eased the lives of people in different ways. If you want to buy something from the supermarket and feel tired, you can consider ordering through the supermarket app, and it will be delivered to your doorstep. Hungry? Just order online, and it will be at your doorstep, thanks to the Google Play Store.
The question remains, how is technology friendly to our children now that it’s here with us? Recently, in Kenya, a 16-year-old girl downloaded the dating app Tinder for a hook-up. In the app features, the app should only allow users 18 years old and above. However, the app cannot verify if a new user has entered the right age or not. In some apps, AI has been used to verify the faces of users to determine if they are children or not, which may be inaccurate.
Tinder, in particular, has no AI face verification. And because our children can be mischievous sometimes, the young girl lied about her age on the app and hooked up with a 28-year-old South African man who was arrested and charged with defilement. The man in his defense stated that he had asked the girl her age, and she said she was 18 years old.
This, therefore, explains the risks children are exposed to. However, we must note that technology companies have come up with various ways to ensure children are safe online. Google, for instance, has a software called Google Family Link. With the family link, you decide what’s best for your family. It’s an easy-to-use tool that you can download from the Google App Store or Apple Store to allow you understand how your child is spending time on their devices and more.
Google Family Link guides children to appropriate content, approves or blocks apps your child wants to download, and helps to choose the right YouTube experience for your child. To that end, you are now aware that if the parents of the 16-year-old girl knew of Google Family Link and used it, their child wouldn’t have downloaded the Tinder App, and the girl wouldn’t have been defiled.
Google Family Links secures the privacy of children. It makes meaningful choices for your child’s data. You can view and manage permissions for websites and extensions accessed through Chrome whilst apps downloaded on your child’s device
With Google Family Link, you can also secure your child’s accounts. As a parent, you can change or reset their passwords if they forget them, edit their account, or delete their accounts, especially if their safety is at risk.
In conclusion, it’s important for parents to ensure that online safety is a priority. Google is an important tool that children use for learning and research. “Just Google it!” they say. However, we should ensure children are safe at all times.
By Grace Olwande,
Child Protection Advisor/Trainer
This is quite informative especially for parents who want to protect their children’s online space. It is important that parents do everything possible to provide guidance to children who may not be aware of online predators
Цифровое поколение
Современная молодёжь — это дети цифровой эры, которое выросло в эпоху технологий. Они моментально осваивают новые гаджеты, и для них социальные сети — это часть повседневной жизни.
Влияние культуры и трендов
Музыка, мода, кино и мемы формируют мышление молодёжи. Они следят за трендами. Всё быстро меняется, и молодёжь живет в тренде.
Семья и отношения
Представления о семье меняются. Молодёжь сегодня строит отношения на доверии. Главное — взаимное уважение.