A Survey on the effects of the Internet and Child Development

We are experiencing a Technology Revolution that is so fast paced leaving us struggling with some of its developments. Internet activities can be harmful to mature users, it is therefore important to secure the safety of all vulnerable groups. Child Development and the Education systems have not been spared of these developments. Since our children are vulnerable and easy targets in the cyberspace, it is cardinal that we keep abreast with best practices in their online safety. There has not been much attention paid to internet governance and child protection. As responsible citizens parents & guardians - it is upon us to create an environment conducive for the upbringing of future generations.

As Alef Innovations we invite you to participate in our survey as we seek to influence a safer internet environment for our children. The survey aims to conscietise parents, alert educators and inform children about online safety. The survey will also help various stakeholders that deal with children. Ultimately we want to influence Internet governance with more emphasis on the protection of children and safety for all internet users. If security is compromised through a minor - the whole family ends up compromised.

We also offer personalized consultancy for specific needs should that be your requirement. Don't forget that distance is no longer a barrier - the same technology we are discussing, makes it possible for us to interact with you where ever you are located.

To complete the survey, kindly follow the links below:-

A survey for the Child who owns a smart phone/laptop or has any form of access to the internet

A survey for the Parent / Guardian

A survey for the Educators

Child Development and the Internet

Alef Innovations is a young and dynamic company with interests in Technology Innovation. Through one of our products – Social Media Marketing – we discovered that most children as young as 8 years are very active users of social networks. It aroused our curiosity how activity in the cyber community was affecting young minds in terms of their development and academic pursuits. We also came to realise that Education Technology was equally taking off like a whirlwind taking both educators and parents by surprise. Whilst it is easy for academic institutions to put policies and procedures in place on how Social Media can be accessed during schooling hours, when the child is at home at times parents do not see the need to monitor what children get up to when they are online. 

It is becoming almost impossible to ban our children from accessing the internet as it has become an invaluable source of information. Care needs to be taken though that not every piece of information in the cyberspace is authentic. It is equally important to note that there are many hazards that young minds can come across in the cyberspace. Some parents are literally addicts of social networks and may not be the best role models for their children.  However educators do have success stories of better results attained through incorporating the internet in the learning experience. 

It is for this reason that we thought it prudent to bring together stakeholders in child development, Information Technology and Social Commentators who are active in Social Media and are well acquainted with the happenings around these networks.

The objective of such conferences is to get these experts to share best practices in dealing with Social Media where children are involved.  For parents we want to make sure that they are aware of the dangers within these forums, we also equip them with available means of child online protection. For educators we assist them with policies and procedures suitable for their unique environments. We share with them the latest education technology available. We want these discussions to shape public policy on incorporating technology in the learning experience of our children. We also share with social workers how to identify and handle child development discords caused by technology. We share best methods of prevention and possible remedies where the situation has gone overboard. We want to involve organisations that provide this technology either as a service or particular products. From them we need to understand what systems they have put in place to protect minors. This discourse cannot be complete without the involvement of community and civic leaders. There is current legislation that governs technology in its various forms, it is important to understand what it is and how it protects minors. 

We are hosting one such conference on the 3^rd of March 2016 in Cape Town at Lagoon Beach Hotel Conference and Spar. We still have seats available and you can book yours by following this link www.cognitoforms.com/ALEFInnovations1/ConferenceRegistration