The Dark Web: What Every Parent Should Know
The World Wide Web (www.), is a service that links documents and allows people to access information, pictures, sounds, and movies on the Internet. There are 3 components to the World Wide Web, which are Surface Web, Deep Web, and Dark Web.
Surface Web
Surface web is the public-facing side of the Internet that is used commonly. This includes public-facing websites and resources. Only 4% of Internet information is hosted through the world web.
Deep Web
Deep web is hidden from initial public view and has limited access via search engines. At least 90% of information is held on the deep web.
Dark Web
Dark web is an area of the Internet that can only be accessed through special software. This means networks are encrypted repeatedly, making a user anonymous and 6% of Internet information is on the dark web.
There can be useful data and information available on the dark web however there is a very dark side to the dark web where illegal activities are carried out. It allows users to communicate anonymously on networks without giving out identifying information like personal locations.
As a parent, nothing can be more important than to monitor your child’s Internet access and track their activities. The idea of a secret world where children can be anonymous is highly enticing to them.
Here are some things that parents should be aware of:
The Dark Web is not safe: The dark web is not a safe place for your children to visit with all the anonymous people there. It is highly likely dark web users have reason to stay anonymous so these are not the type of people you want your children to hang out with.
Explicit content: Children can get free access to forums that promote content such as child trafficking and drugs. This is not what anyone would like their children to be a part of. There is no safety of identity. Once your child enters the dark web they might find themselves on pages that contain content that should not exist by ethical and human standards. There are no warnings or barriers to the browsing, just a click and children may end up on a dangerous page.
Hoaxes: The dark web is full of hoaxes. The hoaxes come in many forms, people are creative to fake false things and present them as true or real.
Lack of regulated content and users: Due to the anonymity of the dark web, it is harder for law enforcement to investigate cases. The unregulated, encrypted world of the dark web operates with very little concept of ethics.
How do you protect your child from the dark web?
- Review privacy filters across all devices and apps.
- A Virtual Private Network (VPN) can be used to provide an additional layer of security to your child’s online activity.
- Build their critical thinking to help your child learn how to spot things that may not be what they seem and make smarter choices online.
- Inform them about the reasons someone using the dark web might want to remain anonymous and how that can cause them harm.
Protecting children from the dark web is critical. Since children cannot differentiate between good and evil it is vital to protect your child from the dangers of the dark web. If your children are intrigued, skill up, and redirect their energy into productive activities such as coding games, playing fun outdoor activities with family and friends.
“When you jump into the dark web, one click can put your life at stake” – Shouvik Auddy.
