Teenagers are online mainly without supervision; they need to be able to identify acceptable and unacceptable online content independently. They also need to know how to behave respectfully online and avoid online risks.

These are some examples of the activities that teenagers might do online:

1. They Use Social Media

Young people like socialising online more than adults. A considerable percentage of social media users are young people, who use social networking sites to keep in touch with their friends. One reason why young people spend so much time online is to make new friends and to keep in touch with people. They also spend their internet time keeping updated on the latest gossip about celebrities and influencers. Teens might value social media metrics more than others, such as likes and comments on their posts.

2. They Play Video Games

Video games are another popular activity young people like to do online. Online gaming has fast become popular over the years with the growth of live stream gaming and esports tournaments. Online gaming is not only fun entertainment for young people but it also helps them to connect more with their friends, improve on their gaming skills and enjoy some downtime.

3. They Gamble Online

As well as online gaming, the younger generation also spends some of their time on the internet gambling on online slots or browsing on sports betting websites. With many games and online casinos readily available on the internet, more and more people are interacting with these and gambling on slot games or betting on popular sporting events. While gambling laws and regulations vary in different countries around the world (many legalising gambling for only those older than 18, or in some case, 21), one of the most important factors that needs to be considered is how to address problem gambling. In The Pogg’s guide to “Safer Gambling: Addressing The Issue Of Problem Gambling,” accessibility, celebrity endorsements and gambling advertisements are just some factors that have a big impact on problem gamblers.

4. They Access Useful Information and News Updates

A lot of young people use the internet as they are interested in looking on websites about the latest TV shows, movies, music, and celebrity gossip. Rather than listening to the radio or buying a newspaper, the younger generation also uses the internet for regular news updates. One of the main advantages of the internet is having access to information at your fingertips.

5. They Do Online Shopping

The growing popularity in online shopping has seen more and more companies set up online stores. With fast delivery and a wide catalogue of products, many young people spend a considerable amount of their online time shopping, especially on popular websites like Amazon and ASOS.

Internet safety risks for teenagers

There are four main kinds of internet risks for teenagers.

1. Content risks
For teenagers, these risks include coming across material that they might find upsetting, disgusting or otherwise uncomfortable, especially if they encounter it accidentally. This material might include:

• pornography or sexually explicit content in music videos, movies or online games
• real or simulated violence
• hate sites
• terrorist sites
• fake news that seems believable
• harmful user-generated content like sites about drug use, self-harm, suicide or negative body image.

2. Contact risks
These risks include encountering adults posing as children online, strangers who persuade teenagers to meet them in real life, and online scammers.

3. Conduct risks
Conduct risks include behaving in inappropriate or hurtful ways or being the victim of this kind of behaviour. Examples include:

• cyberbullying
• sexting
• misusing people’s passwords and impersonating people online
• making unauthorised purchases using other people’s financial details
• creating content that reveals information about other people
• having trouble regulating online time, which can develop into problem internet use.

4. Contract risks
Contract risks include teenagers signing up to unfair contracts, terms, or conditions that they aren’t aware of or don’t fully understand. As a result, teenagers might:

• be open to identity theft or fraud
• get inappropriate digital marketing messages or scam emails
• have their personal data collected from apps and devices like fitness trackers.

Protecting teenagers from internet safety risks

It’s important to help your teenage child manage internet safety risks. This lets your child build digital resilience, which is the ability to respond positively and deal with risks they come across online.

You can do this by:

• being a role model for healthy internet use
• talking with your child about online content and behaviour
• reminding your child about privacy and personal information
• teaching your child about online purchases.

It’s all about trusting your child to become a responsible digital citizen.

The learn more section has a key reason wy teenagers use the internet and discussed the four types of main risks, contact, content, conduct and contract. There are some hints and tips on how the internet can be used safely.

In the resources section you are encoraged to read the guide titled Child Safety Online A Practical Guide for Providers of  Social Media and Interactive Services and Problamatic Internet Use.

Once you have done this you are encouraged to talk openly about your own digital media and internet use encouraging parents (and children) to do the same. Especially children will benefit from an open discussion as they feel they can talk to parents and adults if they have a bad experience online.

Parents can get their child talking by asking them to explain the apps, games and content they’re interested in. Parents might start a conversation by saying, ‘Snapchat posts disappear quickly, but a screenshot can capture what’s been said. Is that right?’ Or ‘Talk me through the differences between YouTube and TikTok’.

It’s good to encourage a child to develop a sense of what they like and don’t like online and to defend their choices with friends. For example, parents could say, ‘It’s great that you chose not to get involved in that online argument’.

Talking about online hoaxes and fake news with a child will help them develop the ability to tell whether a website has good-quality information.