SAFETY OF CHILDREN AND THE YOUTH WITHIN VIRTUAL SPACE

This article examines the safety of children and young people in virtual spaces and online environments. Adults have a responsibility to ensure young people are safe both in traditional social spaces and in digital spaces. Young people who use digital media as part of their daily lives face many dangers from cyberspace. The article presents examples of preventive and educational actions needed to help young people function safely in both real and virtual worlds.

Key points

• Adults have a duty to protect young people in both traditional and virtual spaces
• Digital media are an integral part of young people's daily lives
• Young people face multiple dangers and risks from cyberspace
• Preventive and educational actions are necessary to protect young people online
• The issue is examined from an interdisciplinary perspective

Limitations

The abstract does not describe specific research findings, evidence of effectiveness, or details about which preventive and educational actions are most successful. We cannot determine what problems are most severe or which interventions have been evaluated.