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10 Tech Habits Every Nigerian Family Should Adopt for a Safer Digital Life

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There are certain tech habits Nigerian families should adopt, to keep them safe and protected from digital attacks. From kids scrolling through TikTok to parents handling online banking, our devices hold a significant part of our personal and professional lives.  But with convenience comes risk. That\’s right! Cyber threats, data breaches, and online predators are real issues Nigerian families face daily. So, how do you protect your family while still enjoying the perks of technology? Here are 10 essential tech habits every Nigerian family should adopt for a safer digital life: 1. Set Strong Passwords (and Remember Them!) Encourage everyone in the family to create strong, unique passwords for their accounts. Use a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Avoid obvious choices like \”123456\” or \”password\”, seriously, why? For easy management, consider using password managers like LastPass or 1Password. 2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) Adding an extra layer of security with 2FA helps protect sensitive accounts. Even if someone guesses your password, they can’t access your account without the second verification step, often a code sent to your phone. 3. Teach Kids About Safe Browsing Children are naturally curious, but the internet isn’t always kid-friendly. Use parental controls to restrict harmful content and have open conversations about the importance of not sharing personal information online. 4. Regular Software Updates Are Non-Negotiable Ignoring those “Update Now” prompts? Bad idea. Software updates often include security patches to protect against the latest threats. Make it a family habit to update devices regularly. 5. Backup, Backup, Backup! Imagine losing all your family photos because of a malware attack. Regularly back up important files to an external hard drive or cloud storage to avoid heartache in case of data loss. 6. Be Mindful of What You Share on Social Media It is not everything you put on social media. The world isn’t all love and light. There are legit predators out there. Oversharing online can expose your family to risks. Avoid posting sensitive information like your home address, financial details, or your kids\’ daily routines. Remember, not everyone on your friends list has good intentions. 7. Secure Your Wi-Fi Network Change the default password on your home Wi-Fi router to something strong. Enable WPA3 encryption if your router supports it, and consider setting up a guest network for visitors, if you have them requesting often. 8. Teach Kids (and Adults) to Spot Phishing Scams Scammers are getting smarter. Emails or messages that look legit might be traps to steal your information. Teach your family to verify links before clicking and never to share sensitive info via email. 9. Limit Screen Time for Better Mental Health While not strictly a security issue, managing screen time reduces exposure to online risks and improves overall well-being. Set boundaries, especially for younger kids, to encourage a healthy balance of online and offline activities. 10. Invest in Device Health Management Services (DHMS) For an extra layer of security, consider subscribing to IT Service Desk Africa’s Family DHMS. It offers device monitoring, security tools, data protection, and parental controls to keep your family’s digital life safe and sound. Staying safe online doesn’t require being a tech genius. With these simple habits, you can protect your family from digital dangers while enjoying all the benefits technology offers. Visit itservicedeskafrica.com to learn more.

What Are Your Kids Watching?

Blogs, Family

Protecting Our Children Online with Family DHMS “Oh my God! What are you watching?” That\’s the kind of rude awakening we get when we see our teenagers watching pornography online. You are like ‘I did not train you to be this way. No, you didn\’t, but the other teachers did. The other teacher didn\’t ask for the kid\’s permission. They just bombarded them with content. And knowing a kid\’s curious mind…why not? In today\’s digital age, keeping track of what our kids are watching online has become increasingly challenging. With the rise of social media platforms and streaming services, children have easy access to a wide range of content, not all of which is suitable for their age. As parents, it\’s our responsibility to ensure that our children are protected from pornography, harmful content and online dangers. The Problem with Online Content “Did you see the leaked video of some student? What about the one with a popular celebrity?” Laughing hysterically as though sharing this content is a thing of joy, we pass it on from device to device and we couldn\’t care less what teenager stumbles on it. From explicit sexual videos to leaked private footage, the internet is filled with content that can harm impressionable young minds. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube often host inappropriate material that can lead to poor mental health, sexism, objectification, and even sexual violence among teenagers.  TikTok made recent headlines by removing from the last quarter of 2023, a staggering 176.5 million videos due to guideline violations, with 1.7 million originating from Nigerian users. Despite these efforts, the internet continues to be inundated with harmful content that appears uninvited. Harmful videos continue to circulate online, posing a significant threat to our children\’s well-being. Proposed Solution According to a publication by UNICEF, early exposure to pornography can have detrimental effects on mental health, fostering sexism, objectification, sexual violence among children, and unhealthy habits like masturbation. These are the results when we do not protect what our kids are watching. Their proposed solution emphasises government regulation of digital platforms to enforce content moderation standards.  However, they stress that regulatory measures alone are insufficient. Educating and empowering children with critical thinking skills, media literacy, and knowledge about healthy relationships is crucial. Parents, educators, and communities must collaborate to support children in navigating the digital world safely. The Solution: Family DHMS   At IT Service Desk Africa, we understand the importance of safeguarding our children in the digital age. That\’s why we\’ve developed Family DHMS, a comprehensive device health management service designed to protect your family\’s devices and ensure a safe online experience for your teenagers. Benefits of Family DHMS Security Tool for Devices: Our DHMS plan includes robust security features that shield your family\’s devices from viruses, malware, and other online threats. Loaner Devices for Family: If your device needs repairs, we provide loaner devices to ensure uninterrupted access to technology. Data Protection: We prioritise the safety and security of your personal and professional information, implementing measures to safeguard against data breaches and cyberattacks. Educational Resources: With access to educational resources, you can empower your children to navigate the digital environment responsibly and develop critical thinking skills. Replacement Using OEM Parts: Our DHMS plan ensures that any necessary repairs or replacements are carried out using high-quality OEM parts, guaranteeing the longevity and performance of your devices. Expense Control: Say goodbye to unexpected costs and unnecessary replacements. Our DHMS plan helps you manage expenses and stay within budget. What This Means for You as a Parent With Family DHMS, you can have peace of mind knowing that your children are protected from pornography and other online dangers. Our comprehensive subscription plan allows you to monitor your family\’s device usage, restrict access to inappropriate content, and track their online activity. By signing up for Family DHMS, you\’re taking proactive steps to safeguard your children\’s digital well-being. Take Action Today   Join us in the fight to protect our children online. Sign up for Family DHMS and ensure a safe and secure online experience for your family. We understand the urgency, so we are allowing free sign-ups with an opportunity to onboard your family’s devices on our platform. Now that you can monitor and protect what your kids are watching, what else do you need? With IT Service Desk Africa, you\’re in good hands.

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