Today’s children are digital natives for whom internet access and mobile internet are basic necessities. Their parents often feel challenged to provide them with appropriate help and support in the online space. With its publication titled “How to Talk to Children about the Internet?” Telenor wants to help parents address this challenge.
This very detailed, 40-page publication includes four main chapters. The first chapter provides an introduction to responsible Internet use explaining how children can use the web wisely without becoming addicted to it. The second chapter focuses on online threats including those related to online dating and sexting. The third chapter describes the basic tenets of online safety educating parents about the best practices of internet use at home and the importance of children protecting their personal data as other valuable assets. This chapter includes specific questions helping parents explore their children’s Internet usage habits and have more targeted conversations with them about the most relevant subjects.
The publication developed by Telenor Group was adapted to local needs by the experts of “Hintalovon” Children’s Rights Foundation and Telenor. The guidebook is available as a free download in a digital format on the website of Telenor’s digital education program Hipersuli.
“The Internet offers fantastic opportunities to all generations. They need varying amounts of support to be able to make the best use of these opportunities. With our publication, we want to help both parents and children get prepared as digital skills and the detailed knowledge of threats and opportunities will be essential for them to succeed in the ongoing digital revolution”, said Christian Wulff Søndergaard, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer of Telenor Hungary.
Committed to using technology to reduce social inequalities and promote state-of-the-art digital education, Telenor considers children’s online safety education and awareness to be key priorities. In 2017, it took its online safety education program to more than 4,000 students. Its volunteers held 150 hours of training for 1,600 students, partly under the Digital Week event series. Telenor will join the initiative between 9 and 13 April this year by providing safe internet lessons nationwide at schools, including Hipersuli schools.