Parents, here's how you can protect your children from online threats

As schools start to shift to an online setting amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, more and more children may be exposed to online threats.

Just this May, the Department of Justice shared that it has received a 264% increase in the number of online child sexual exploitation reports amid the lockdown.

To safeguard our children from possible exploitation, SaferKidsPH, an Australian Government Initiative with the help of Save the Children Philippines, Asia Foundation and UNICEF, shared a number of tips. 

READ: 5 things to teach your kids to protect them from online harm

1. Monitor your children's use of smartphones or tablets

To make sure your children are safe, monitor their use of smartphones or tablets. If you're also working from home, put your work station in an area, where you can see them.

It's also best to keep track of their internet time.

2. Know who their online friends are

In order to keep children safe from online threats, it's best to know as well who their online friends are. Make sure that the accounts they follow are safe and not a threat at all.

3. Empower the children and let them know they can talk to you about anything

Encourage your children to think before posting anything. Is it a piece of information, photo or video content "something they would give a stranger?"

If the answer is no, then it's best to not post the content at all.

Aside from empowering our children, parents should also have an open discussion with them. Encourage your children to "seek help or counsel when something disturbs them".

Let your kids know that you will be there to protect them.

4. Set location to private

Teach your children to always set their locations to private so no online predator can know the exact place you and your children live. — LA, GMA News