What Parents Don't See: Children, Algorithms and Social Networks | Martina Sokolíková
In a new episode of CZECH CYBER TV I spoke with Martina Sokolíková, the author of the (Ne)Bezpečná síť project, which helps children, parents and schools navigate the online world better.
The internet is a natural environment for children today. They spend hours on it every day, communicate, watch content and form their view of the world. But it is precisely in this space that a number of risks play out that often remain hidden from parents.
In a new episode of CZECH CYBER TV I spoke with Martina Sokolíková, the author of the (Ne)Bezpečná síť project, which helps children, parents and schools navigate the online world better.
Martina started building the project in her free time alongside her work at Policie ČR. Today it is one of the most visible initiatives in the prevention of online risks for children, awarded among other things Kyber Cenou roku 2024.
Children and algorithms: an environment parents don't see
A large part of the online world where children move is controlled by algorithms. These decide what content children will see, how long they will stay with it and in what direction their digital reality will develop.
What begins as innocent watching of videos or scrolling social networks can quickly turn into:
- closed content bubbles
- addictive behaviour
- exposure to inappropriate or manipulative content
What threats children are really facing today
In the interview we open topics that are not only about technology, but about real situations:
- cyberbullying and its first signs
- communication with strangers online
- manipulation and pressure within groups
- predators on the internet
Crucially, these situations often occur without parents noticing.
Does it make sense to ban social networks for children?
One of today's key questions. But there is no simple answer.
Bans themselves often don't work — children will find a way. Much more important is:
- understanding the environment they operate in
- open communication
- timely recognition of problems
🔒 For subscribers: real cases and how to respond
In the bonus section we go even deeper.
We analyze concrete situations from practice:
- how a predator's contact with a child typically develops
- what cyberbullying looks like in real time
- what mistakes parents make most often
- what exactly to do when a problem occurs
This part will give you a practical guide on how to respond — not just theory.
The bonus section is available to CCTV+ subscribers 👇