The health care eligibilities of internally displaced people

Child and Teenager Online Safety

Virtual space and social networks are an integral part of our lives and the lives of our children. Especially during war and emergency situations, like the one that we are currently experiencing, the internet provides us with relief and pleasure, but it may also present us with challenges and dangers. Especially during these times, exposure to disturbing content may increase stress and feelings like fear and lack of personal security. As parents, you should be involved in your children's online behavior and teach them about safe internet use.

We gathered some tips for you on how to protect your children and teenagers online:

  • Fake news: plenty of false information is spread on social media these days, some of it with malicious intent by the enemy. It is recommended that you only consume information from official and reliable sources, like the websites of ministries and the Home Front Command.
  • Cyber-attacks: do not open links from sources that you are not familiar with, and set a 2-stage verification process in all applications that allow it.
  • When staying in the bomb shelter, talk to your children about their feelings, remain physically close and hug them, and if possible, keep them busy with activities that reduce their levels of stress and panic. Try to avoid scrolling through social media during those times.
  • Exposure to traumatizing content: the internet is filled with traumatizing videos and images that children and teenagers should not be exposed to and that are not suitable for their age. Exposure to such disturbing content may cause stress, trauma, eating and sleeping disorders, restlessness, and even physical manifestations such as stomachaches and vomiting. The reason is that your children are not sufficiently developed emotionally and cognitively to process these contents. For your children's safety and resilience, talk to them and tell them not to watch disturbing content. If they have already opened them or taken a peek at them, it is better to turn it off quickly, delete the links or images, and not share them. Do not be angry with your children. Just be alert and seek professional help as necessary.
    Remember that the minimum age for social media use is 13.
    Further reading (Hebrew): why it is important to follow the minimum age policy for social media use

Hotline 105 for the protection of children and teenagers online is available 24/7. You may either call the hotline or submit the online form in Hebrew, Arabic, and English.

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