In YOUR Opinion, How Can We Protect Children From Being Catfished Online?

Question

"A catfish is someone who creates a false online identity. Catfishing is common on social networking and online dating sites. Sometimes a catfish's sole purpose is to engage in a fantasy. Sometimes, however, the catfish's intent is to defraud a victim, seek revenge or commit identity theft."

BlackRoseFairy · Accepted Answer

in my opinion the key is for the parent to know more than the child.
If you have no idea from computers and internet giving free access to a child and relying on their word is not a safe practice.
Kids first of all shouldn't have free access to the internet. I would also block social media for them, since I don't see a reason why they should have Facebook or Instagram or whatever... if they want to chat with friends Viber would be a safer option, since you can set it to only talk to people who have your phone number.
I also like to say that every parent knows their child. there is no "recipe" to do it right. You adjust the amount of access to the kid's maturity and understanding.
Before giving ANY access you should teach kids a few things, like not sharing personal information, not telling people their passwords or accounts, and most importantly not to depend on it. It should be a part of everyday (that's unavoidable) but not the whole day. They should have other activities too. So you set the limits and stick to them.
And regarding smartphones, set up a child proof system, and deny access to data plans. We survived without it. They can too.
Also in my opinion internet shouldn't be used as a reward method.

ALackey · Accepted Answer

My mom didn't even allow me to have social media or any sort of chat services or anything until I was 18 and it's honestly glad that she did because now that I'm older now I see so much and experience so many people that is just mind blowing and I've got a lot horror stories on the people I've ran into to the point where at times I didn't even feel safe. I'm never one to sit up and say what parents should and shouldn't do when it comes to parenting their children, but in my very own personal opinion I do believe that the young at least under a certain age within their teens, should not have access to any of it and now days you really do have to be careful FOR them because as children they don't understand, but we do. You have very sick people out here that don't care if it's your little girl or your little boy they will do anything in their power to make them feel unsafe.

zodccc · Accepted Answer

When they hit the age where they’ll start talking to people online, base on my experience its around 10 years old more or less, talk to them about it. Explain to them what catfish is, and how to avoid them. Tell them your experience and how you found out. Basically educate them, cause I was definitely not educated about this when i was younger and hell my mom doesn't even know what a catfish is til i turned 17, then she started being like be careful with catfishes. The thing is we can never stop them from talking with people online, this is how this generation works now. All we can do is guide them.

BarryMcKohkner · Accepted Answer

This is an easy and simple solution... don't give your children access to the internet. What do they really need it for? We all did fine without it as kids, generations have done fine without it. They're kids, they don't need to be concerned with the internet. When they get to a certain age, maybe they can use it but as long as a parent is there to oversee it. Don't want your kids exposed. to the wrong thing too early. At the same time, don't want to be a overwatching parent all the time, parents need to find a balance

billyboy37 · Accepted Answer

Honeslty? i think its pretty good now.. its general knowledge and a known risk, teenagers have been learning by getting their hearts broken since we invented fire, so my opinion is dont protect them from it and deny them life lessons (one of the most important ones no less). Nobody appreciates love and sure as hell dont know what it really is until they lose it a few times. And even then some people dont get it.

coolbreeze · Answer

No because it's easy to catfish people online.

Jenny4455 · Answer

Apps that allow for parental monitoring of activity online. Education and I mean education at home, way to many parents expect schools to do it all. Your a parent take responsibility. Respect and realistic understanding from parents and adults. Most education comes way to late because 'their to young for that' children explore their environment and test boundaries. The internet is now part of their environment growing up. Saying no and thinking that ends it isn't being realistic. It just means if they find a way to do it again and get it trouble they are less likely to come to you for help

DailyIntrovert · Answer

Has anyone saw the movie 'The Circle'? I know it was meant to be a warning about how far technology can go but I think it had one pretty good idea. It has one central account that is registered with a bank card and all social media sites you sign up to link back to that one account. It'd stop catfishing, cyber bullying and a lot of illegal activities because there's no anonymity and everyone would be held accountable for their actions because they'd be easy to trace. I thought it was a pretty good solution to a lot of issues people go through online not just kids but adults too.

1231prncss · Answer

Not giving tiny children access to cell phones. I have spoken to so many people who gift their 3 and 4 year olds and iPad for Christmas or and ipod touch for birthdays. The younger they start the more familiar they become with how to use technology and by the time they're reaching middle school they're chatting with people on social media sites that they dont even know. Allowing children to have access to these devices at a young age becomes the norm and I think most parents assume "well he/she has been using it since age ____ they know better they know how to maneuver the internet safely." I think its important for parents to limit screen time in younger children and still be involved and aware of what children are doing on their devices aas they get older. Stay involved, keep your kids informed and monitor their online activity.

NekoTheCookie · Answer

Honestly kids shouldt be on the internet.. youtube and social media had made them so messed up. And say the weirdest shit cause they watch weird shit on youtube that isn't for kids. And the things ment for kids are usually about this family who are obsess with candy, slime and eyebleeding shit.. it isn't normal and the videos seem like they are on drugs 24/7

Anonymous · Answer

Best way is to catfish them yourself, if you can. Then show them how they fell for it. You can also bring them up to research for themselves the pitfalls of being taken in by guys (or girls!).

For example, get them to research Exif data on photographs so they understand a bit more why it is not a good idea to send them.

A take written by my brother:

Nude Photos Are Bad, And Why Geo-Tagging is Even Worse ↗

kanelives · Answer

Just be educating them, nothing is better than educating your child! It won't completely prevent them from running in to danger, but it will help them avoid it, or they will know how to react. Which is many times better than protecting them in my opinion.

dewatergirl · Answer

Teach them to know the warning signs. To be careful with what info they give out and to use their best judgement and do some research and questioning when their are some red flags. To get out early if things aren't adding up.

Iroxmysox15 · Answer

Talk to your child/children. Let them know the dangers. Educate them.
I have young children coming into my work on a regular basis taking photos of themselves, their names, phone numbers and social media on our display iPads. if I can catch it, I’ll alert the parents when they come find their children.

GoodGuyBreakingBad · Answer

Set up account and go on the Social Media and follow your Child
i know this may be impossible and it may sound strange but Catfish
are people who can be dangerous. Look at that Woman was Adult
pretended to be a teen guy by the name of Josh well she Catfish
this teen girl who was a wonderful young lady and that teen she
ended up taking her life , so yes we do need some enforced laws
for people who pretend to be someone whom they are not.

pasi02 · Answer

Parents should monitor and limit the kids Internet access. Also teaching them Internet safety is also necessary in my opinion

worldscolide · Answer

Simple solution.. I have the necessary hardware skills and software skills that would make it nearly impossible in my home.. I love being in IT. My children will have limited pc and smart phone use until they move out.. If I have kids that is.

Pejtu · Answer

All online accounts should be Connected to FB TW or something like that
If u wanna create any account u gotta link it with ur real FB or TW
I know u can do fake FB account and connect it but when someone will check you they will see like 0 friends no posts no photoes nothing
So it be obv its fake 🤷‍♂️
Sadly u can't do that right now

Shahax · Answer

Yes, get off your phone and actually be a parent and teach your kids to be smarter than that

sweetcocoa_ · Answer

By not giving kids phones when they're 2 years old.. seriously we give these kids technology way too early on in their life

rubbaj · Answer

Give them prehistoric phones that can't use apps, children don't need snartphones. Let them earn one threw work and then tell them why you are concerned bla do bladi blah

Aaliyahvcxz · Answer

Totally unrelated to your question, but I LOVE the pink plumbob in your avi!:) 💞 I’m a fellow simmer! ❤️

DizzyDesii · Answer

in my opinion, a kid under 15 shouldn't even be online. My mom didn't let us have social media until 18+ when we graduated HS. And by then we didn't even care to create a profile. I’ll prob do the same with my kids

Hannah12112004 · Answer

Block certain websites, and ask for their passwords for the websites/apps they use. Check their messages if able. Usually by language you can tell the age of a person

nerms123 · Answer

Teach them about creeps just like we were taught about creepy strangers in school

Shezadi · Answer

Don't buy them mobile phones. They can use tablets instead of mobile phones.

TheAceholeSupreme666 · Answer

Simple. Parental supervision and parental control. Kids have no business being online unless it's research for school assignments.

ridingthelightning · Answer

Personally I don't allow my son on anything that he can interact with somebody. He is only 10, and still pretty gullible and susceptible to many things. That will change as he gets older but for now he is still too naive to the potential dangers

Daniel3035 · Answer

Best way is to draft a term as part of the companies contract which states you cannot catfish. And the requirement of a fullbody photo with you holding a sign of randomly generated numbers.

SissyFrenchMaid · Answer

Its not possible in all cases but I copy their photo and search on google images to see if the picture has been used elsewhere online.
I've discovered tjay some who have sent me add requests were using photos stolen from models or actors.
The same technique could be used for children

StylesbyDR · Answer

Easy to create an account you have to have a goverment issued id verified with a server, and the service automatically uses your name to make your account which is public. These online identities are listed as verified.

baseballnerd24 · Answer

The best advice is to tell them to never meet them or agree to meet them in person and to always never give away any personal information like where they live or go to school

the_imperfectionist · Answer

By making them watch 'Catfish the tv show' on MTV :)

JustJen · Answer

Don´t allow your kids online unsupervised. Just like you wouldn´t allow them to interact with just anybody outside of the internet.

Rheinstahl · Answer

Enforce the age restrictions on social media for f sake, they shouldn't be on there till they're 16-18

KatherineJ · Answer

Keep your kids internet limited, and monitor everything they do online.

SeiferTurtlez · Answer

Just monitor what they do online. Young people shouldn't spend too much time on social networks and the sort as well

jc2992 · Answer

Well i would think the main way would be to inform them about the dangers of being catfished. I also would think that parents should supervise their kids internet usage to be honest.

DiegoO · Answer

I don't know. How come a child is using the internet, alone? Without supervision? A lot of parents are laid back with that without realizing that leaving them alone in the WWW is like leaving them in the streets by themselves.

Titanic1912 · Answer

I can protect my children from being catfished. I won’t let them use any modern technology until they have reached the legal age of 18.

Kritssh · Answer

Well the only way is to tell them about it but we can't control what happens online with other people

the_sinner · Answer

Monitoring the child's online activities from the beginning is necessary. Training them about avoiding different kinds of scams is very necessary these days.

Lemia · Answer

Tell them what to look out for and dont talk to anyone they are uncertain about.

JustADuDuDude · Answer

More or less unrelated, but damn! That's some really good perspective for a selfie taken by a child!

Quidthonian · Answer

We can't. We tell them not to do something, they will do it to see why. Children shouldn't be using social media sites anyways.

Sasuke124 · Answer

Don't let them use the internet until they turn at least 14.

madgoat · Answer

Validate all accounts using real identity information

jekprotecc · Answer

The real question is how do we stop catfishing on THIS SITE?

dragoblack · Answer

Not let Them on 18+ date sites to begin with. Date sites are for legal adults, the underage should not be on them

DanOh2018 · Answer

You really can't and still maintain a level of anonymity. Better to educate kids on avoiding risks than to go full police state

Jerre · Answer

Keep track of the websites they visit. If they are under 16, set your computer or phone up so they cannot visit adult or porn web sites

zagor · Answer

By not letting them use social media except in very limited circumstances.

TsundereMatrix · Answer

Block certain websites and apps from their devices?

rgabin · Answer

DONT GIVE THEM A PHONE!!!

DanielunucPalmer · Answer

By talking to ur child but catfish n the dangers of possible being catfished

Mommy95 · Answer

Not allow kids to have phones till they're 18

Anonymous · Answer

Monitor kids online activity

NewUser19 · Answer

Not letting children use social media and phones

Emmalouise03 · Answer

Don’t give your child a phone🤷🏻‍♀️

GreenGold1992 · Answer

Forbid use of the internet and enforce that rule

Apple1996 · Answer

We really can't

babyygirrll · Answer

I don’t really think that u can

Games_ · Answer

Verification

Anonymous · Answer

Haha you can't block me!! 😂😂😂

Anonymous · Answer

Can't

In YOUR Opinion, How Can We Protect Children From Being Catfished Online?

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Is this a good reason to keep children off the internet?

In YOUR Opinion, How Can We Protect Children From Being Catfished Online?

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Is this a good reason to keep children off the internet?

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