INTERNET SAFETY STARTS WITH INFORMED CONSENT

Sir,
In our increasingly digital world, internet safety is no longer a luxury, but a necessity. We entrust our personal information, financial details and even our children’s well-being to the vast expanse of the web. Yet, how many of us truly understand the terms and conditions we blindly accept when setting up a new account, downloading an app or even updating our iPhone’s iOS? This casual acceptance, often driven by convenience, can have serious consequences.

Guilty

We have all been guilty of it: Scrolling through pages of fine print, eyes glazing over, before clicking ‘agree.’ But within those lengthy documents lie the details of how our data is collected, used and sometimes even shared. Do we know what we are consenting to? Are we aware of the potential risks? Often, the answer is a resounding no.This is not just about protecting ourselves from targeted advertising or minor privacy breaches. It’s about understanding the potential for our data to be misused, sold to third parties or even fall into the wrong hands. It’s about safeguarding our children from online predators and ensuring their digital footprint is managed responsibly. It is about maintaining control over our own information and making informed decisions about our online activity.

Navigate

Computer literacy, in its truest form, extends beyond knowing how to use a keyboard or navigate a website. It encompasses a critical understanding of the digital landscape, including the legal and ethical implications of our online actions. Reading and comprehending terms and conditions is a crucial component of this literacy. It empowers us to make conscious choices about the services we use and the information we share. Similarly, the ubiquitous ‘accept cookies’ prompt shouldn’t be a mindless click.

Habits

We need to understand what cookies are how they track our browsing habits, and what the implications are for our privacy. Resources are readily available to educate ourselves on these topics, and it’s our responsibility to seek them out. Let us move beyond passive acceptance and cultivate a culture of informed consent. Let us teach our children the importance of online safety and empower them to navigate the digital world responsibly. Let us demand transparency from the companies that handle our data and hold them accountable for their practices. Only then can we truly harness the power of the internet, while mitigating its risks.

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