iPads Are the Best Babysitter: Regarding Children's Spaces on the Internet & Internet Safety

[My thoughts may be a bit scattered here, sorry!]

I've been using technology and computers for as long as I can remember. When I was younger [the late 2000s-early 2010s 🧓], there were dedicated websites and spaces for children. Looking back on it, a lot of it was advertisement, but at the same time, it was still something on the Internet that was available with children in mind.

Fast food chains, toy lines, TV channels—almost every brand aimed at kids had some form of child-friendly website. McDonald's and Burger King featured games, Monster High had a cool site with activities, and Nickelodeon and Cartoon Network had engaging websites tied to their shows. There were also kid-friendly social platforms available. Think of sites like Club Penguin, Animal Jam, or MovieStar Planet.

Ok, so where am I going with this?

It seems like those dedicated kid-friendly spaces just don't exist anymore. Today's kids don’t have the same safe, intentional places on the Internet like we used to. But even if they did, would they even want them?

The internet has taken a liking to instant, short-form content. It captures everyone's attention, and kids are no exception. There are plenty of content farms on YouTube that take popular things and dumb them down into mindless videos that are marketed to kids with flashy colors and familiar characters. Many legitimate sources of children's entertainment have moved to streaming apps.

Remember the whole "Spiderman and Elsa" situation from a few years back? Even some of those browser games for kids that are like "Pregnant Princess Foot Doctor!" Content like this subtly directs kids towards inappropriate material without anyone even realizing it. It's incredibly easy to access inappropriate content (especially, and unfortunately, of children's media) on the internet. Some things can slip through SafeSearch filtering, and social media users/algorithms don't always tag content appropriately. Kids find ways to see inappropriate content whether they mean to or not. I would know, I was a fan of My Little Pony in the early/mid-2010s.

Kids today aren't going through that same entry-level phase with the Internet. Many are handed iPads at home or Chromebooks at school with instant access to all the content they could ask for. Parental and Administrator controls on these devices provide some protection, but they don't always catch/block everything they should. Social media is now the "cool" place to be. With the lack of education about Internet safety, these kids are at serious risk.

When I was first learning how to navigate the Internet, TV commercials  still reminded us to "ask your parent's permission before going online!" We were taught never to share personal information, and "Stranger Danger" applied online just as much as in real life. I genuinely believe that today's kids aren't being taught enough, if any, Internet safety skills.

Social media platforms are the content hubs of the modern age, but they weren't really meant to include children. Honestly, even YouTube Kids isn't very reliable (See: previously mentioned content farms and "hidden" fetish content). Everything revolves around social media. "Have you seen this TikTok trend?" "Check out this celebrity's  Instagram story!" "Add me on Snapchat!" It makes sense that kids are drawn to these platforms, but they aren't supposed to be there. There aren't any similar content platforms that are intended for children, so they're entering spaces that are mainly populated by adults, or at the very least teens who are often older than they are. The minimum age required to join most social media platforms ranges from 13-16 years old, but younger children often find ways onto them.

I don't deny that there are websites intended for kids still out there. PBS Kids still has a website with plenty of educational and fun games related to their shows. CoolMathGames is still going strong! You can still play social games like Animal Jam, Webkinz, and MovieStar Planet (though not in your browser like you used to). Even things like Roblox or Minecraft could count a little bit. It's just that kids are now drawn in by the trendy, quick, and brain-rotting content found on social media. I think if there were to be a resurgence of kid-friendly web platforms, they'd have to try and replicate the appeal of regular social media.

Please keep in mind that I am not a parent. This blog stems from my own experiences growing up with the internet and my opinions. There are many factors to consider when teaching children about internet use. Not everyone raises an "iPad Baby," and with appropriate guidance, who’s to say your kid will stray from safe content? It’s challenging to control every aspect, but awareness and education can make a significant difference.

Hey, Kids (and Grown-Ups)! Here are some ways to stay safe online!

• Social media platforms have a minimum age requirement for a reason - It's to protect you. As tempting and easy as it may be, you won't be any cooler after lying about your age to get into these spaces.

• Never share super personal things about yourself online. This includes things like your address/location (home, school, etc.), phone number, and hyper-specific details about yourself. Even your exact age can be too specific sometimes.

• ↳ Note: There's a difference between sharing things about your identity that you're proud of/find important and saying Too Much. The internet isn’t always a safe place, and unfortunately, there are people who might take advantage of what you share. Too much information can make you vulnerable.

• This also applies to pictures and videos, don't post anything you wouldn't want a stranger to see/know. Once something is online, it's hard to take it back.

• "Block" isn't a dirty word. If someone is bothering you, they make you uncomfortable, or if you just don't want to interact with someone for any reason, block them. Your comfort and safety take priority.

• Everyone is a stranger. Unless your friend told you their username/profile info directly, you need to be Cautious when interacting with other people.

• If you are under 18, there is no reason for an adult to be trying to establish any sort of personal relationship with you. It doesn't matter who they may be, and content creators and celebrities can be just as dangerous. They are not your "friend."

• If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. Your words and actions can affect others - even virtually. Some thoughts need to stay inside. Using derogatory, offensive, or hurtful words online (or in real life!) will not make you cool.

• Be mindful of the content you engage with. Especially with how popular AI is now, it's smart to take a closer look at the posts and media you're looking at. And don't click on any suspicious links!!

• It isn't cool, quirky, or fun to put yourself at risk. Better safe than sorry. Do your best to be careful and stay safe when you use the internet.

Staying safe online doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. It’s all about making smart choices and protecting yourself to enjoy the best parts of the internet without the risks.