As the world observes Safer Internet Day on 10 February, experts are calling for safer, more responsible online access, particularly for children and young people.
Karen Farred, CEO of Girls and Boys Town South Africa (GBTSA), emphasised the growing risks of online exposure, asking: “Are we making our children safer or more exposed?”
“I know intimately what it means to worry about a child’s safety. The internet can be one of the most unregulated and unpredictable spaces, especially for children. Danger no longer knocks. Today, danger does not arrive loudly. It does not knock at the door. It comes quietly,” Farred said.
She warned that children are increasingly exposed to online content through screens placed in their hands, often unsupervised. “Next-generation Wi-Fi means children are online earlier, for longer periods and in more private spaces than ever before. Content loads instantly. Conversations happen in seconds. Exposure is no longer gradual, it is immediate.”
Farred also stressed the benefits of the internet, noting that it provides access to knowledge, support, and communities that can enrich children’s lives. “The goal is not to fear technology; it is to ensure that as access grows, guidance and involvement grow with it. A familiar but troubling scene in many homes today, a picture is deeply troubling.”
To mark the day, cybersecurity firm Kaspersky shared practical advice for parents on turning artificial intelligence (AI) tools into trusted allies for children, rather than potential threats.
“When you actively participate in your child’s AI journey, you transform from a concerned parent into a trusted guide. They’ll seek your input because they know you’re interested in their digital experiences, not just trying to control them. But while allowing children some AI freedom, you must always remain vigilant about their online safety and healthy growth,” said Andrey Sidenko, Cyber Literacy Projects Lead at Kaspersky.
Sidenko explained that children are quickly discovering the power of AI tools like ChatGPT, DeepSeek, and voice assistants such as Alexa.
“These tools can answer questions faster than you can find the right answer in Google, and Alexa can play music without pressing a single button. So, the only solution is to become children’s AI support. Begin by explaining that these digital assistants aren’t friends, pets, or even real people. They’re sophisticated tools that can be helpful, but also potentially misleading, biased, or simply wrong. Then teach them to cross-check information with multiple sources, just like they’d verify facts in a school project.”
anita.nkonki@inl.co.za
Saturday Star