February 8 was the International Safer Internet Day, an annual occasion dedicated to highlighting issues around internet safety for all. This year, the day was marked under the theme ‘All fun and games? Exploring respect and relationships online’. In partnership with UNICEF Rwanda, The New Times asked a group of young writers at the Inyange Girls’ School of Sciences in Rulindo District to share their perspectives about online safety and below are some of their views and tips on the subject:

Normalise using the internet for something useful

By Gadiella Nyarwaya Gisabo

The internet has become such an addiction to many of us, especially teens. They say "no internet no life” but that is all in our heads— we can actually use the internet for productive gain. 

Most of the time, we use the internet to watch all sorts of things just for enjoyment—rarely to get anything fruitful done for ourselves. 

You may wonder how one uses the internet safely, but with the right mindset, nothing is impossible. First of all, the internet can be used to help us with our studies, for research, to learn more about what we are taught so that we don’t rely on teachers only. We may also try to look for something new that the teacher didn’t talk about.

The internet may be used to improve a certain skill one may have, for example, there are websites that offer a boost for all sorts of dreams; poets, artists, singers, even aspiring chefs, and using the internet for this can be very rewarding.

Posting useful information on the internet may greatly help in boosting internet safety because many people have really enlightening things to share.

We should use parental control software to restrict kids from inappropriate internet content that may affect them negatively, there are so many mind-destroying things found on the internet that may negatively impact teenagers.

Impose age restrictions to grown-up content so that teens can’t watch what the adults watch. Kids should not be allowed to post personal information on the internet as it may be accessed by someone with not-so-noble intentions. 

Apply the use of different protection tools for mobile devices and social media accounts to protect youngsters from hackers who may try to use the information for blackmail. We should all do our best to protect the younger generation because they are the future, and the innovators of tomorrow who will make the world a better place.   

Responsibility starts with us

By Ines Hirwa

The internet is defined as a vast network that connects computers all over the world—a system of interconnection between billions of users worldwide—and that includes youngsters, especially teenagers. 

The internet is an asset to any country in terms of development in all sectors, as it is used in business, schools, homes and et cetera. These days, accessing it isn’t as costly as it used to be, and of course, it has its pros and cons like everything else. 

Many teenagers have access to the internet, which has made physical interaction rare because they spend most of their time chatting online, sometimes with people they barely even know. So how can the internet be made safer for them?

The internet is referred to as a ‘necessary evil’ because it has a range of information with no limitations. But it also has pornographic content, violence, hate crimes and bullying, to name a few. Spreading awareness on how to use the internet in a productive way is a good way to start. Also, impose strong supervision in order to keep up with what youngsters do on the internet. 

The internet can serve us but also destroy us, so, first and foremost, it’s our responsibility and that of our parents to be careful and vigilant. 

Keep a keen eye on what youngsters do online

By Linda Queen Umuganwa

We live in a digital world and need the internet to help us communicate and share information with other people. Most importantly, many of our jobs require use of the internet. Youngsters need the internet to carry out research, and for recreational purposes, such as games, not forgetting that it helps them keep in touch with others. But what worries many parents is that their minors, especially teenagers, are getting increasingly hooked to the internet. Have you ever noticed that kids are always on their phones? Whether they are eating, or with friends, as long as they have a gadget, they are on it. Many get exposed to inappropriate content such as pornography, cybercrimes, hate sites, and so on. But parents shouldn’t just sit and let it go on, they must do everything in their power to keep the internet safe for their children.

For starters, parents should encourage their kids to use the internet for useful purposes, making sure to monitor what they do or watch online. They (parents) must also be exemplary by balancing screen time with other daily tasks. Parents have to make sure that kids are not using their phones during meal times, and that they keep devices away during family time. This can be put into practice by creating a ‘family plan’.

Talk to teenagers about harmful content and monitor what they do online. Parents should also use parental control options when it comes to what their kids view, they can also use this parental control to limit the amount of time children spend on the internet, so that they don’t stay up all night. It can enable them to filter the web, and block inadvertent access to inappropriate sites.

Mobile phones and other devices must have a ‘porn ban’ software to make sure that teenagers do not access porn sites and other inappropriate material. 

Teenagers around the world commit suicide because of cyber bullying, or stigma on social media. Parents and teachers have to remind minors about privacy and personal information, and advise them not to accept friend requests from strangers, and also be careful with what they post online.

Teenagers are targets of predators who approach them in their most vulnerable moment, like when they seem like they are being neglected and need sympathy. They flatter them, offer gifts and may even offer money, something teenagers might easily be drawn to. Creating awareness regarding these predators is vital, as many people lie about their entire identity and only want to exploit them, mostly sexually.

Antiviruses should be installed in phones or computers to avoid threats or any other computer attacks, such as hacking. Parents should also make sure that their teenagers make online purchases from secure sites to avoid any kind of theft. Parents have to be more responsible and involved in ensuring safe and healthy screen use for their kids. When the internet is used in an appropriate way, it can be of valuable use.

Don’t just be online, there’s so much more to do

By Alliance Niyomwungeri

In earlier times, people used to walk for weeks to deliver a message but technology made it easier to do this instantly.

Enter the internet; who said it is bad? Everything is done on the internet, whether it is looking for information, trying to market a business, or even getting a recipe.  

However, youngsters are suffering from internet addiction, which is basically problematic or pathological internet use. Many worry, and for good reason, that teenagers are not using the network in an appropriate way. However, internet safety can be attained by age restriction, which means making it impossible for young people to access unsuitable content online, hence, protecting them. 

Human trafficking is on the rise because youngsters, considered ‘easy targets’, are manipulated on the internet. Criminals of sex trafficking use violence, threats, lies, money, drugs, and other forms of coercion to compel or force children and adults to engage in unwanted sexual acts. Parents should warn their kids about such, and other unlawful and dangerous activities that take place on the internet.

Nowadays most teenagers wake up with only one thing on their mind, be on social media all day without doing anything constructive. Parents should make sure that their children always have time for other beneficial activities like family time, sports or simple exercise, house chores and more. You can also read a book, watch a movie, or go for a walk, perhaps even ride a bicycle, there is so much you can do instead of devoting all your time to the internet.  The internet is very useful, but we should manage the time spent on it well.