By Richmond Botwe
Cybersecurity expert David Gyedu has sounded an alarm on protecting children from online threats which he said requires more than just installing an app as it demands on a fundamental shift in parental engagement.
Speaking on the GTV Breakfast Show, Gyedu painted a picture of a digital environment where attackers are exploiting children’s innocence and parental device access, primarily through popular social media and gaming platforms.
The critical vulnerability, according to Gyedu, is the common practice of handing a child a device without providing adequate guidance or implementing essential digital filters.
This oversight is leaving minors exposed to threats far more sophisticated than simple spam.
To secure their children’s digital future, the expert provided clear, actionable advice for parents:
- Engage, Don’t Just Police: Parents must establish open, ongoing discussions about every aspect of their online life. This includes regularly monitoring their online presence and browsing history, making supervision a collaborative, open part of their child’s life.
- Be Platform Aware: Parents must recognize that not all apps are suitable for all ages. Platforms like Snapchat, Roblox, and general gaming services require extreme caution and vigilance. Where possible, prioritize kid-targeted, filtered apps such as YouTube Kids.
- Harness Technology with Intention: Actively employ robust parental control tools. The expert specifically recommended Google Family Link to enforce screen time limits, set device restrictions, and ensure transparency by allowing parents to monitor browsing history.
