Protection of Minors

Knowing the Risks

You cannot monitor and control children’s Internet use the way you manage and control television use: there are things you should know and new risks you must acknowledge.

Exposure to Offensive (Violence, Pornography...) or Illegal Materials (Incitement to Racial Hatred, Drug Use...)

3 out of 10 children are voluntarily or involuntarily exposed to offensive materials on the Internet while searching for a website or downloading illegal files (music or movies) for example. Source: Ipsos/e-enfance 2009.

Inappropriate Encounters

The Internet has increasingly become a very appreciated social communication tool. Nowadays, you can have real-time discussions with strangers on the other side of the world, share files, send e-mails... Virtual relationships may sometimes be materialized into "real-life" encounters and that’s precisely where you must be very cautious.

In order to instinctively arouse your child’s suspicion regarding dubious usernames and doubtful behaviors related to online encounters, you need to teach him/her very early on to be vigilant towards Internet anonymity.

Personal Data Disclosure via Social Networking Sites, Blogs or Chats

With the appearance of social networking tools such as Facebook and the other forms of online expression (blogs, chats), people got into the habit of making their personal information public (last name, first name, age, address...).

These data may be misused, which can have disastrous effects. You must therefore warn your children against the risks related to these new communication tools very early on!

Harassment, Psychological Pressures

By virtue of its proximity and simplicity, the Internet facilitates the cases of online harassment or cyberstalking. Because of their fragility and naivety, children are easy prey for certain ill-intentioned individuals hanging around on chat sites.

Excessive Consumption

An excessive overconsumption likely to cause addiction and lead to desocialization counts among cyber threats. This phenomenon is mainly encountered in children addicted to online video games.