Keeping our children safe from the dark web

The debate on allowing your children have cell phones or use them at a young age is a touchy subject.

Parents know their kids better than anyone, and they are all different, so no one can really say what’s best for all children. 
However, I believe parents shouldn’t let their kids use so much technology.

I don’t have kids, but I wouldn’t let my children use any phones until they are in middle school, at least.

I have babysat plenty of times, and when a child just wants to play on your phone, it’s the easiest thing to do. They plant themselves for a couple hours, satisfied on YouTube while you relax.

It’s the easy way out. 

I have also learned they love playing outside. I have more energy than an actual parent, I imagine, but it’s a great alternative. 
Go outside, let your kids get some dirt on their hands. They shouldn’t be cooped up inside. 

It amazes me how kids who aren’t even two years old can navigate through a phone

. 
I hope once I am a parent, I will sit down and teach my child problem-solving skills with actual puzzles and toys instead of a bright cellphone screen.
Again, I’m not a parent. I know it’s tiring, and sometimes you just need a break, but if you can get through the first 10 or so years of their lives without technology, it will be worth it.

I understand some might say the world is becoming more focused on technology, but that doesn’t mean the cyber world is safe.
I’m sure we have all heard of the “Momo challenge” incident on YouTube.

If you haven’t, there were people making videos that targeted children with inappropriate messages. The videos began with content suitable for children, but after a few minutes, a creepy woman would appear and tell kids to do all kinds of things to harm themselves.

She would give them a task, such as cutting themselves, and if they didn’t, she said she would kill their family.

You may trust your kids to watch the right videos, but this is just one example of people doing terrible things online. Parents should never assume everyone has a kind heart. 

Social media is the same thing. Cyber-bullying often happens at young ages. 

When kids are crossing over from child to teenager, they want approval. I know I did as a child.
In this age, once your kid wants a phone, it usually means they want to be on social media, too.
Another alternative to phones is television.

I’m not saying all TV is good for children, but the right shows can help young ones develop.

Shows like “Sesame Street,” “The Magic School Bus,” “Barney & Friends” and “Blue’s Clues” have been shown to have positive effects on children’s educational media.

Studies by J.C. Wright and A.C. Hudson from 1995 and 2001 show that children who watched “Sesame Street” exhibited significantly higher knowledge gains like identifying numbers, shapes, letters and body parts.  

Also, students in high school who watched these shows as children had higher grades, academic self-esteem and read more books than non-viewers.
Parents shouldn’t write off all technology, but cell phones should not be in the hands of our future generations at such a young age.
It’s a dangerous world out there on the internet. 

Let’s keep our children safe.