The National Centre for Child Protection has warned that many parents are failing to protect their children from growing online dangers, calling for stricter supervision of children’s digital activity and greater awareness of online risks.
The warning was issued by the Centre’s Danie van Loggerenberg, who said children are being exposed to dangerous online environments because parents often allow them unrestricted access to devices without proper monitoring or guidance.
“Parents, once you allow your child to have a device with them without any control or supervision, your child falls within a world that you know nothing about,” he said.
Van Loggerenberg said there is a serious lack of communication and knowledge among parents regarding the digital threats facing children. He warned that many children are manipulated or deceived by strangers using fake profiles and are then pressured into sending explicit images.
“Your child would rather send a nude than have their phone taken from them, meaning once they have been fooled or conned or speak to a complete stranger based on a photo or profile that’s been created, and they’ve made the mistake of sending that photo, they refuse to speak to their parents,” he said.
“They are actually stuck in that situation.”
The Centre stressed that parents must become more vigilant and actively involved in their children’s online lives, saying a lack of supervision is leaving children vulnerable to exploitation and emotional harm.
