Connect with us

Trending Spy News

IRL’s ex-CEO says he’s ‘shocked’ about the company’s fake users


IRL’s company logo.
IRL’s company logo. | Photo illustration by William Joel/The Verge

I have a packed issue this week, starting with the implosion of a once-hot social media startup called IRL. It raised $200 million at over a $1 billion valuation, and now its board is dissolving the company after finding that most of its users were fake. The SEC is investigating. It’s a whole mess. I have ex-CEO Abraham Shafi’s first public comments on the situation since he was ousted by the board.

Also in this issue: a convo with the earliest investor in MosaicML, the AI startup that just sold to Databricks for more than $1 billion; some notes on Google’s AR strategy; a scoop about Meta getting into the app distribution game; drug use in Silicon Valley; a Musk-versus-Zuckerberg cage match update; and more…

But first: Thanks to Roblox CEO David Baszucki for taking the time to chat with me for the latest episode of Decoder. You can listen to our full conversation, read the transcript, or watch a shorter version on YouTube.

A schedule note: Command Line will be going dark next week. I’ll be back the week of July 10th.

A reminder that you can access the full archive of Command Line issues here online.


Abraham Shafi.

IRL’s ex-CEO speaks out

I first heard about a social media startup called IRL in April of 2021. A source who had invested in the company offered to connect me with its CEO, Abraham Shafi. Shafi is the real deal, I was told. He could be the next Evan Spiegel or Mark Zuckerberg.

These kinds of introductions happen all the time in my line of work, and you never want to miss out on building an early relationship with the next world-changing entrepreneur. I accepted the intro offer and was soon on the phone with Shafi.

He immediately impressed me with his charisma and vision. He eloquently explained how he wanted to build “Facebook groups and events for the generation that doesn’t use Facebook.” He said IRL (“in real life”) had found its early users by focusing on middle America, with most of its usage coming from young people in states like Texas. “We wanted to build for the average user, not the cool tech user,” he told me.

Shafi was a repeat entrepreneur who had successfully sold his prior startup, a recruiting software platform. And even though IRL was quite small relative to the companies I normally cover, he’d already attracted a who’s who of investors and advisors, including Scott Banister, a member of the PayPal mafia. “Some consumer products are an overnight success, but a lot of the ones that have worked for us can take years,” Mike Maples, an IRL board member and early backer of Twitter and Twitch, told me at the time. “Now we’ve got enough critical mass that things are starting to get interesting.”

Things did get interesting, just not in the way Maples was suggesting to me then. After raising $200 million at a unicorn valuation and claiming to have 20 million users, IRL announced last week that it’s shutting down after a special committee of its board found that 95 percent of those users are fake. The SEC has been conducting an investigation for months, and Shafi was ousted as CEO at the end of April after the board said it discovered a pattern of misconduct.

These kinds of implosions have grown increasingly common as more money has funneled into tech. Even still, I feel a personal connection to this story, given the early platform I gave IRL both at The Verge and my former employer, The Information. I realized Shafi, who goes by Abe, had yet to speak out since he was fired, so I decided to reach out after the news of IRL’s dissolving came out. I knew it was a long shot, especially given that the SEC is still investigating the situation.

But to my surprise, he responded.

“Hey Alex,” he texted me the other day. “The 95% number shocked me and many others at the company. We have not been given a basis to justify this number and believe it is wrong. Although all social media companies contend with bots, my team and I routinely took steps to detect and expel them, and believed in our metrics.”

After defending his approach to fighting spam and fraud while CEO, he went on to tell me that “my suspension had nothing to do with bots. I was told that the action was taken due to a personal expenses issue. I had put both personal and business charges on the same credit card. Although the account was opened on my personal credit and I was responsible for all charges, the company paid the monthly statements and I reimbursed the company for the amounts owed to cover my personal charges. Although I am not proud of this mess, these expenses do not impact our product, our metrics, or our team.”

In an internal email explaining the company shutdown last week, IRL employees were told that an “SEC investigation into potential violations of federal securities laws” kicked off the process. “Based on company counsel’s investigation into the allegations raised by the SEC, as well as concerns about management’s response to the SEC investigation, in March 2023 the Special Committee engaged outside counsel to conduct an independent review of the allegations connected to the SEC investigation,” according to the email, which concludes that “the company’s going forward prospects are unsustainable.”

Based on my recent conversations with current and former IRL employees, including those who are sympathetic to Abe and those who think he is a scheming liar, there’s clearly more to this story than I can fit in one column. A spokesperson for the remaining IRL management team declined to comment for this story on the record. (Needless to say, if you know more about what went down, get in touch.)

For now, what I can say is that things went very wrong at IRL. Its blue chip investors are now scrambling to save face, and its employees are suddenly out of a job with little to no severance and worthless equity. “I’m saddened, stunned and frustrated,” one early employee who was there till the bitter end told me.

While I don’t know what will happen next, I won’t be surprised if the SEC files charges against Shafi. (When I asked if he was expecting to be charged, he said “I can’t comment on that.”) I ended our text conversation by asking him what his message was to IRL employees.

Here’s what he wrote back:

“What we built had immense value and ended too soon. The worst part of seeing the headlines is knowing the unfair damage they will cause to the employees who worked their hearts out for years. They deserve nothing but respect for building a product and set of tools to bring people closer together. I just want them to know that I was honored to work alongside them.”


The Databricks logo.

A big AI acquisition and what it means

One of the biggest stories this week was the $1.3 billion purchase of MosaicML by Databricks. It’s a watershed acquisition that, as I alluded to in an earlier issue of this newsletter, signals how important open-source AI models are quickly becoming. It’s also an eye-popping number for a 60-person startup that is less than three years old, though it’s worth noting that the deal is mostly in Databricks stock.

“We were not expecting to sell the company anytime soon,” Lux Capital general partner Shahin Farshchi, who was the earliest investor in Mosaic, told me over the phone the other day. “If you would have asked me a year ago if a company like Snowflake or Databricks would have acquired Mosaic, I would have said, ‘huh?’”

What changed? The “zeitgeist around AI” and the “concerns created” by the rise of OpenAI and other centralized companies in the space, according to Farshchi. “That brought about all these questions around privacy [and] compliance, now that companies have to hand over their data to someone else to benefit from this technology.”

Mosaic’s insight is unique algorithms that take open-source AI models and pretrain them on proprietary company data for a fraction of the cost of other solutions. Unlike OpenAI, Anthropic, and the other closed-source AI firms, the models that Mosaic produces are owned by the companies that create them. By combining Mosaic’s tech with the data management tools and massive sales force at Databricks, the result is a vertical stack for companies to manage and deploy their own models.

Farshchi, who recently testified before Congress about the risks and opportunities of AI, compared it to the advent of Amazon Web Services and the impact that had on startups that suddenly had easy access to cloud hosting: “Companies that couldn’t leverage AI because they couldn’t let their data go somewhere else now have an option to access, train, and deploy.” He expects an “explosion” of new startups now that the cost of building generative AI experiences with open-source technology is rapidly coming down.

Another side effect is that large funding rounds for early-stage, pre-revenue AI startups — like the $1.3 billion round Inflection AI announced just yesterday — may become a thing of the past. “If you go out to build a foundational model company, you need $100 million plus to train models,” explained Farshchi. “As a result, you have to raise at a big valuation to avoid too much dilution. This will break that cycle. You no longer need to raise at a crazy price to do interesting things in AI.”


Google logo

Notes on Google’s AR pivot

Insider published an interesting story this week about Google’s changing AR strategy. It builds off a report I published last year about the company’s “Project Iris” headset, which has now been canned after the departure of its leader, Clay Bavor.

The big shift is that, according to Insider and my own sources, Google has given up on building its own in-house pair of AR glasses. It’s now shifting to the same playbook for Android on mobile and hoping to power devices made by hardware companies like Samsung. All of the work that went into building custom silicon and a fully custom OS for Iris has been thrown out in favor of an “Android for XR” approach that can be licensed out.

I’m told that the team building AR hardware was severely impacted by the recent layoffs, putting the future of Google’s acquisition of the MicroLED company Raxium into question. Shahram Izadi oversees the roughly 800-person AR software organization and reports directly to Hiroshi Lockheimer, the SVP of Android and Chrome.

Another layer here is that the dynamic between Samsung and Google seems to be growing increasingly complicated as Google continues investing in its own Pixel line of hardware. Google needs Samsung for Android distribution, and now it’s working with Samsung on some kind of mixed reality headset.

“Google big bets are only as strong as the leader advocating for the bet/funding to continue,” one person who worked on Iris recently told me. “So for AR at the moment, Samsung is the sugar daddy supporting the team building goggles. If there is success with Samsung on goggles, then maybe Iris will have another shot at life? That’s the current level of commitment.”


Image of Meta logo

Meta plans its own kind of app store

Speaking of Google, I have a feeling that the folks over in Mountain View are paying attention to this: Meta is planning to let people in the EU directly download apps through Facebook ads, setting the company up to eventually compete with both Google and Apple’s app stores.

The new type of ad is set to start as a pilot with a handful of Android app developers as soon as later this year, I’ve learned. Meta sees an opening to try this thanks to new regulation in the EU called the Digital Markets Act (DMA) that is expected to go into effect next spring. It deems Apple and Google as “gatekeepers” and requires that they open up their mobile platforms to alternative methods of downloading apps.

Android technically allows sideloading already, though Google makes it difficult by coupling its in-app billing and licensing with the Play Store, along with the scary warnings it shows when someone tries to download an Android app from another source. Even still, Meta clearly thinks it’s safer to try its test first on Android rather than Apple’s iOS.

Meta’s pitch to developers participating in the pilot is that, by hosting their Android apps and letting Facebook users download them directly without being kicked out to the Play Store, they’ll see higher conversion rates for their app install ads. At least initially, Meta doesn’t plan to take a cut of in-app revenue from participating apps, so developers in the pilot could still use whatever billing systems they want.

A spokesperson for Meta, Tom Channick, confirmed the plan to me in an emailed statement: “We’ve always been interested in helping developers distribute their apps, and new options would add more competition in this space. Developers deserve more ways to easily get their apps to the people that want them.” Google didn’t respond to a request for comment.

Meta isn’t alone in wanting to become a distributor of mobile apps when the EU’s DMA goes into effect. In March, Microsoft said it hoped to launch an alternative app store for games on iOS and Android in Europe next year.


Image of Elon Musk

Drug use in Silicon Valley

This Wall Street Journal story about the widespread drug use in tech circles is a fun read. I have personally been offered ketamine by an executive at a fancy tech conference, and I don’t even work in tech!

I’m jealous of the anecdotes that Kirsten Grind and Katherine Bindley from WSJ got into their piece. It all reminds me of a juicy tip I recently heard about a very prominent tech CEO who may or may not be mentioned in the story.

According to someone who said they witnessed the situation unfold firsthand, this CEO’s security team made everyone leave an upstairs room at a mansion party in Los Angeles so that he could drink molly water without any witnesses. As the saying goes, it’s lonely at the top.



A Musk versus Zuckerberg fight update

Lex Fridman has trained with both men and posted a video of his session with Zuckerberg. Musk also wants to train with UFC legend Georges St-Pierre, while heavyweight champion Jon Jones has offered to be Zuckerberg’s training partner.

Meanwhile, the Italian government has apparently offered to host the fight in the actual ​​Colosseum.

Musk’s dad on the situation: “The thing is, if this crazy fight goes ahead, if Elon beats this guy, Elon will be called a bully, being so much heavier and taller…While if he loses, the humiliation would be total…Elon loses if he wins and loses if he loses.”


Satya Nadella.

Quote of the week

“The dominant player there [Sony] has defined market competition using exclusives, so that’s the world we live in. I have no love for that world.” – Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella.

Another big story this week is the FTC v. Microsoft trial, which will determine whether Microsoft’s $68.7 billion proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard goes through. My colleague Tom Warren has been providing unparalleled, blow-by-blow coverage of the whole saga that I recommend you check out if you’re interested in the details.

For me, these kinds of trials are a great window into how big companies actually operate on the inside, thanks to the discovery process that produces internal strategy documents (sometimes by mistake).

I have no idea if Microsoft will win the case or not, but if you care about the business of gaming, this trial has been very illuminating.


People moves

  • Bret Taylor joined Shopify’s board of directors.
  • Kelsey Hightower, Google Cloud’s principal developer advocate, is retiring.
  • Tal Broda, formerly head of engineering for the crypto VC firm Paradigm, has joined OpenAI as “scaling team lead.”
  • Ren Ito, the former COO of Stability AI, was “let go,” according to the CEO, Emad Mostaque.
  • Danny Lange, Unity’s former SVP of AI, has joined Google as VP of “business intelligence” for AI.
  • Оlga Belogolova, who led Meta’s policy team for countering influence operations, is leaving.
  • Brian Janous, Microsoft’s VP of cloud energy strategy, is leaving.
  • Jason Mok has joined Brex from Andreessen Horowitz to be its new head of startups.
  • Brooke Oberwetter, one of TikTok’s most vocal spokespeople, is leaving.

Interesting links


That’s it for this week.

A reminder that I’m off next week. The next issue will be sent the week of July 10th.

In the meantime, I’d love to hear your feedback. Thanks for subscribing, and have a great holiday weekend.

Continue Reading

Trending Spy News

Using VPNs to Keep Kids Safe Online: A Simple Guide for Parents

Protecting your children’s online privacy is more crucial than ever with the increased use of social media and online learning. A VPN, or Virtual Private

Using a VPN is a smart way to keep your kids safe online. It encrypts their data and masks their identity, making it harder for hackers to access personal information. This added layer of security helps protect against cyberbullying and unwanted attention. To set it up, choose a reliable VPN service and install the app on all devices your family uses. Make sure everyone connects to the VPN when online. Educating your kids about online privacy and safe internet practices is just as crucial. By taking these steps, you can create a safer browsing environment for your family and improve their online security.

Understanding VPNs and Their Functionality

In terms of online safety, understanding how VPNs work is essential. A Virtual Private Network, or VPN, creates a secure connection between your device and the internet. It encrypts your data, making it difficult for anyone—like hackers or snoopers—to access your personal information.

When you use a VPN, your online activity appears to come from a different location, which adds an extra layer of anonymity. This can be particularly useful when your kids are browsing the web, as it helps protect their identities.

Additionally, VPNs can bypass geographical restrictions, allowing access to content that may be blocked in your region. By knowing how VPNs function, you’re better equipped to keep your children safe while they investigate the vast online world.

Importance of Online Privacy for Children

Online privacy is a significant concern for children traversing today’s digital landscape. With the rise of social media, gaming, and online learning, kids share personal information more than ever.

Without proper protection, they risk exposure to cyberbullying, identity theft, and unwanted attention from strangers. As a parent, it’s essential to educate your children about the importance of not oversharing and recognizing potential threats.

Encourage them to use strong passwords and be cautious about accepting friend requests from unknown users. By fostering an environment of open communication, you can help them understand the significance of online privacy.

Ultimately, teaching kids to safeguard their personal information empowers them to navigate the internet more safely and confidently.

How VPNs Protect Children’s Data

Safety is paramount in terms of protecting children’s data in the digital age. A VPN, or virtual private network, acts as a shield for your child’s online activities by encrypting their internet connection.

This encryption keeps their data safe from prying eyes, including hackers and advertisers. When your child connects to a VPN, it masks their IP address, making it difficult for anyone to trace their online actions back to them.

Additionally, many VPNs block harmful websites and ads, providing an extra layer of security. By using a VPN, you’re helping to guarantee that your child’s personal information, such as their location and browsing habits, remains confidential.

This way, they can navigate the internet with a bit more peace of mind.

Setting Up a VPN for Family Use

Setting up a VPN for your family can improve the security measures already in place for your children’s online activities.

First, choose a reputable VPN service that offers family plans, as these often provide multiple connections. After signing up, download the VPN app on your family’s devices. Installation is typically straightforward, but be sure to follow the prompts closely.

Once installed, encourage your kids to connect to the VPN whenever they go online. This keeps their data private and protects them from potential threats.

Make certain to regularly check the VPN settings and update the software to guarantee peak performance.

With these steps, you can create a safer online environment for your family and give yourself greater peace of mind.

Educating Children About Safe Internet Practices

Teaching your kids about safe internet practices is crucial in today’s digital age. Start by explaining the importance of privacy and the risks of sharing personal information online.

Encourage them to use strong passwords and remind them not to use the same password across multiple sites. Discuss the significance of recognizing phishing attempts and suspicious links, and show them how to report such incidents.

Emphasize the value of respectful communication, both in comments and messages. It’s also essential to set boundaries around screen time and social media usage.

Regularly check in with your kids about their online experiences, fostering an open dialogue. By equipping them with knowledge and encouraging responsible behavior, you help them navigate the digital world safely.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can VPNS Help With Internet Speed for Kids’ Online Gaming?

Sure, using a VPN might just speed up your kid’s online gaming experience—because who wouldn’t want to add another layer of complexity? Sometimes, though, it can actually slow things down. Test it first!

When choosing a VPN for kids, look for options that offer strong encryption, user-friendly interfaces, and parental controls. Popular choices include NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark, as they prioritize safety and performance for younger users.

Can VPNS Bypass Parental Control Apps?

Imagine your child sneaking out, thinking they’re undetected. VPNs can bypass parental controls, acting like that hidden door. While they offer privacy, you need to balance freedom with guidance to guarantee safe online experiences.

How Do I Choose the Right VPN for My Family?

To choose the right VPN for your family, consider speed, security features, ease of use, and device compatibility. Read reviews, check for a no-logs policy, and verify it offers reliable customer support.

Will Using a VPN Slow Down My Child’s Device Performance?

Isn’t it ironic? You’re worried about speed while ensuring safety. A VPN can slow down your child’s device, but if you choose a good one, the impact’s minimal, and their online security’s worth it.

Continue Reading

Trending Spy News

Understanding Privacy Concerns in Online Gaming for Children

Understanding privacy in online gaming is crucial, as children may unknowingly share sensitive information. Games often collect data for targeted advertising

Understanding privacy concerns in online gaming for children is essential. Many games require personal information, and kids often share details without realizing risks. Information can be used for targeted ads or shared with unknown players, making it vital to encourage the use of nicknames and avoid personal chatter. Cyberbullying is another significant threat, and parental controls can help manage gameplay and interactions. Familiarizing yourself with data protection laws, like GDPR, will give you insights into how children’s data should be handled. Knowledge is power, and there’s much more that can empower you as a parent in this online environment.

Understanding Online Gaming and Privacy

Online gaming has become a staple of childhood entertainment, offering kids a chance to connect, investigate, and compete in virtual worlds. As they immerse themselves in these experiences, it’s essential to understand the role of privacy.

You mightn’t realize that many games require personal information or track your child’s online behavior. This data can be used for targeted ads or, worse, shared with third parties. Encourage your child to use nicknames instead of real names and avoid sharing personal details in chat functions.

Setting up privacy controls on gaming platforms can further protect your child. By fostering an awareness of privacy, you can help them enjoy online gaming safely while still connecting with friends and exploring new adventures.

Common Privacy Risks in Online Gaming

Many gamers frequently underestimate the privacy risks associated with online gaming. When you play, you often share personal information, like usernames or locations, without realizing the potential consequences.

Cyberbullying is another serious concern, where players may target others, leading to emotional distress. Additionally, many games collect data on your gameplay habits, which can be sold to advertisers. This data can include your preferences and in-game purchases, making you a target for targeted ads.

Moreover, voice chat features can expose your conversations to strangers, risking your privacy. To protect yourself, use strong passwords, adjust privacy settings, and be cautious about sharing personal information or engaging with unknown players.

Staying informed can help you enjoy gaming while safeguarding your privacy.

The Role of Data Protection Regulations

Data protection regulations play an essential role in safeguarding the personal information of young gamers.

These laws set standards for how companies must collect, store, and use your data. For instance, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe requires that companies obtain explicit consent from parents before processing children’s data. This means game developers can’t just collect information without asking first.

Regulations also mandate transparency, ensuring you know what data is being collected and how it’s used. As a player or parent, it’s important to understand these protections.

They help create a safer online environment, giving you confidence that your personal information is being treated responsibly. Staying informed about these regulations empowers you to make safer gaming choices.

Strategies for Parents to Safeguard Privacy

Understanding data protection regulations is a great first step, but parents can take additional measures to further safeguard their children’s privacy while gaming.

Start by discussing the importance of privacy with your child, ensuring they understand what personal information should remain private. Encourage them to use strong, unique passwords and enable two-factor authentication whenever possible.

You should also monitor their gaming platforms and check privacy settings, adjusting them to limit who can contact your child. Regularly reviewing friend lists and online interactions can help identify potential risks.

Importance of Parental Controls

While you may trust your child to navigate online gaming safely, parental controls are essential tools that can significantly improve their protection. These controls allow you to set boundaries on what games your child can access, limiting exposure to inappropriate content.

You can also monitor their playtime, ensuring they don’t spend excessive hours online. Additionally, parental controls help manage in-game interactions, preventing your child from engaging with potentially harmful players.

Familiarizing yourself with these features not only empowers you as a parent, but it also fosters a safer gaming environment for your child. By actively utilizing parental controls, you’re taking a proactive step in safeguarding their online experiences, allowing for a balance between fun and security in their gaming adventures.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Types of Personal Information Are Often Collected in Online Games?

In online games, you’ll often find personal information like usernames, email addresses, location data, and payment details being collected. Developers use this data to improve your experience, but it raises important privacy concerns to reflect on.

How Can Children Recognize Phishing Attempts While Gaming?

To recognize phishing attempts while gaming, you should look for suspicious links or messages asking for personal info. Trust your instincts; if something feels off, it probably is. Always verify before clicking anything!

Are There Safe Gaming Platforms Specifically for Younger Children?

Yes, there are safe gaming platforms designed for younger children. Look for games that prioritize safety features, such as parental controls and age-appropriate content. Always check reviews and recommendations to guarantee a secure gaming experience.

What Should I Do if My Child Encounters Inappropriate Content?

If your child encounters inappropriate content, stay calm and talk to them about it. Encourage open communication, report the content to the platform, and consider adjusting privacy settings or monitoring their gaming activities more closely.

How Often Should I Review My Child’s Gaming Privacy Settings?

Review your child’s gaming privacy settings like checking a garden for weeds. You should do it regularly, ideally every month, or whenever a game updates, ensuring their online safety and protecting their personal information.

Continue Reading

Trending Spy News

Top Tips for Keeping Kids Safe Online: Protect Their Privacy Today

Understanding online privacy laws is crucial to protecting children in the digital age. Key regulations include COPPA and GDPR, which limit data collection

To keep your kids safe online, start by understanding privacy laws like COPPA, which limits data collection from children under 13. Always provide parental consent for online activities, as this helps you monitor what they access. Utilize built-in parental controls on devices to restrict inappropriate content and manage screen time. Educate your children about privacy settings and encourage responsible posting; once shared, content can be permanent. Foster open discussions about online privacy and boundaries to build awareness. By staying informed and involved, you can navigate the digital world together and better safeguard their online experience. Discover more ways to protect their privacy.

Understanding Online Privacy Laws

In terms of protecting your kids online, understanding online privacy laws is vital. These laws exist to safeguard personal information and guarantee that companies handle data responsibly.

Familiarizing yourself with these regulations helps you understand what information can be collected and how it can be used. For instance, know that some laws require parental consent before companies can collect data from minors. This awareness empowers you to monitor the apps and websites your kids use.

It’s also important to educate your children about their digital footprint, making sure they know the significance of privacy settings and sharing personal information wisely.

Key Regulations to Know

Understanding key regulations is essential for parents traversing the digital landscape. Familiarize yourself with laws like the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), which restricts how websites can collect data from children under 13. Knowing this helps you advocate for your child’s privacy.

Additionally, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe sets strict guidelines for data collection and user consent, having global implications. While these regulations mainly target companies, understanding them empowers you to question how your child’s data is handled.

You should also stay informed about local laws, as they can vary widely. By being aware of these regulations, you can better protect your child’s online presence and guarantee their personal information remains secure.

Parental consent plays an important role in protecting your child’s online experience. By actively engaging in their digital interactions, you help safeguard their privacy and personal information.

Many websites and apps require parental approval before kids can access them, which allows you to vet the content and determine its appropriateness. This not only protects your child from potential harm but also fosters open communication about online behaviors.

Encourage discussions about why consent matters; it teaches them to value their own privacy and understand boundaries. Additionally, being involved in their online activities helps you identify potential risks early on.

Ultimately, your involvement lays a strong foundation for a safe and positive digital experience for your child.

Effective Parental Controls

While traversing the online world can be intimidating, effective parental controls offer a powerful tool to help you manage your child’s digital experience.

Start with built-in features on devices or apps that allow you to set restrictions on content and screen time. These controls can block inappropriate websites and limit app downloads based on age ratings. You can also monitor your child’s online activity, ensuring they’re engaging with appropriate content.

Consider using third-party software that provides additional features, like location tracking and social media monitoring. Remember to regularly review and adjust these settings as your child grows and their online needs change.

Balancing freedom and safety is key, so involve your child in discussions about why these controls are important for their online journey.

Educating Children About Privacy

Many kids aren’t fully aware of how their online actions can impact their privacy. It’s essential to explain the importance of sharing personal information wisely.

Start by discussing what privacy means and why it matters. Encourage them to think before posting anything online—once it’s out there, it can be difficult to take back. Use real-life examples to illustrate how oversharing can lead to unwanted attention or cyberbullying.

Teach them about privacy settings on social media platforms and the significance of keeping profiles private. Reinforce the idea that not everyone online has good intentions.

Regularly check in with them about their online experiences and encourage open conversations. This ongoing dialogue will help them develop a healthy understanding of privacy as they navigate the digital world.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Are Common Online Threats to Children’s Safety?

In the digital jungle, lurking dangers like cyberbullying, inappropriate content, and predators can pounce on unsuspecting children. You’ve gotta be vigilant; educate them about these threats to guarantee their online adventures remain safe and enjoyable.

How Can Children Recognize Phishing Attempts?

To recognize phishing attempts, you should teach children to look for suspicious emails or messages. They need to check for misspellings, unfamiliar senders, and urgent requests for personal information. Encourage them to ask for help when unsure.

When Should I Start Teaching Kids About Online Privacy?

You should start teaching kids about online privacy as soon as they begin using devices. Imagine them exploring a virtual world, unaware of lurking dangers; that’s when your guidance becomes essential to their safety and understanding.

What Apps Are Safest for Children to Use?

When choosing apps for your kids, look for those designed specifically for children, like PBS Kids or Toca Boca. Check ratings and reviews, and always monitor their usage to guarantee a safe experience.

How Can I Monitor My Child’s Online Activity Discreetly?

Think of your child’s online journey as a treasure hunt. To discreetly monitor their activity, use parental control apps, set up shared accounts, and have open conversations, ensuring they feel safe while exploring their digital treasures.

Continue Reading

Trending