Awareness of esafety and potential online dangers among children and teenagers

Aim/Purpose Awareness of eSafety and potential online dangers for children and teenagers. Background The study examined eSafety among children and teenagers from their own per-spectives, through evaluations of their awareness level of eSafety and of poten-tial online dangers. Methodology This is a mixed-method study with both quantitative and qualitative elements. The study includes questionnaires and interviews. A total of 345 participants from Israel completed questionnaires; 90 children and teenagers were inter-viewed from among the participants. Contribution The study examined the awareness of children and youths of safe online surfing. It also examined the degree of exposure of children and youths to positive and negative aspects of the Internet. This study illustrates the dual potential of Internet use within the context of eSafety, as seen through the eyes of children and teenagers. Characteristics of use of the Internet are liable to increase the danger to and the bullying of youths and by youths in the digital domain. It also demonstrates the promises of using the Internet for productive learning and leisure activities. Findings Findings show that the children and teenagers who participated in the study reported a medium-high level of awareness. Issues that participants were con-cerned about included avoiding contact with strangers and cyberbullying, not necessarily by strangers, but also by friends. Recommendations for Practitioners It is important to examine how children perceive online events for the purpose of examining their statements regarding eSafety and the way they view prob-lematic or dangerous online events, as well as how they believe they can cope with them. Recommendation for Researchers The study recommends incorporating in future studies individual case studies and allowing participants to express how they perceive complex online situa-tions. Impact on Society This study illustrates the dual potential, positive and negative aspects, of Internet use within the context of eSafety, as seen through the eyes of children and teenagers. Future Research Future studies should track changing eSafety awareness and behavior longitudi-nally to identify the impact of maturation and experience on their behavior and attitudes.