PW invited parents from CHIREC International School, Hyderabad to share their insights on how they ensure their children’s online securityx
“Rather than strictly limit access to the internet, I believe a more effective and lasting approach is to educate children about online safety. By spending time with my son Diyansh (class 2) and understanding the platforms, games, and content together, we have built a world of trust between us enabling meaningful conversations. I have also taught him to identify risks like misinformation, cyberbullying, and scams, and how to respond appropriately. A friendly approach makes him feel safe to share whatever he encounters online” — Charisma Ayinapudi, software engineer
“Online safety is as important as road safety. I have found that a mix of setting clear boundaries, open communication, and simple tools can go a long way in keeping our children — Vibha (class V) and Sanjeev (class VIII) — safe while they explore the internet. We have established screen time limits and ensured that digital devices usage happens only in open sight. Moreover, we make it a point to discuss the importance of not sharing personal information and the risks of inappropriate content. Occasionally playing an online game with our children is a great way to understand their digital world and remain connected with their interests” — Visalakshi Subramanian, homemaker
“I have always encouraged our daughter Bhairavi (class X) to openly discuss the content she has engaged with or wants to engage with online to assess its impact on her mind given her tender age. We also often talk about setting rules for screen time to keep digital activity manageable. But quite honestly, we haven’t succeeded because the computer is being utilised for homework these days. Moreover we use parent control settings in Netflix, Youtube and teach our daughter how to make safe choices” — Mythreyee Devi, program manager
“We have open conversations with our daughter Kasamneni (class VI) to explain the risks of the internet and the importance of setting boundaries. Using parental control tools, we regularly monitor her online activities while also limiting her screen time. Any opportunity I get, I stress the importance of privacy and the need to avoid sharing personal information online. Additionally, I periodically review the apps and websites she uses to ensure they are safe. Finally, I’ll educate her on how to recognize phishing attempts, scams, and inappropriate content” — Dandamudi Sri Ramya, teacher at CHIREC