Learning how to make a link clickable is a valuable skill everyone should learn. Clickable links can grant you access to educational or empowering sources. But a bad link can also lead you to scamming or inappropriate sites. That’s why you need to control the links that kids have access to.
This piece will take you through everything you need to know about clickable links. We’ll also look at how to set up a link and how to protect kids from unverified links.
What does “clickable link” mean?
A clickable link is simply a text, a button, or an image that directs users to a webpage. It’s often used to open online resources without having to copy and paste web addresses. However, certain plain text URLs aren’t always clickable.
On the other hand, hyperlinks are often coded links placed on text or images. The URL is often hidden to give the content a clear look that’s easy to get through.
– Common formats of clickable links:
- Full URLs: Most of the time, they begin either https:// or http://. They are mostly clickable links that you can use on different platforms.
- Anchor text: They are often composed of descriptive words and followed by words like learn more. It redirects you to a webpage, but it also still has the URL.
- Buttons and images: For this, they are generally connectors and are mostly used on documents, emails, and websites.
Why is my link not clickable?
Sometimes a link looks functional but does not open when you click or tap it. This can be confusing, especially when you know the web address is accurate.
Missing protocol (http or https)
Missing protocol is one of the reasons why a link is not clickable. A full address normally begins with http / or https. In the absence of this, most browsers, applications, and editors fail to view the text as a web address. As an example, typing in the URL: www.example.com can be left as plain text, whereas the URL: https://www.example.com can be clicked.
Platform restrictions
There are many websites that often disable clickable links to reduce unsafe content. They often do this to protect users and restrict unsafe activities. In these cases, users can see the link, but the platform prevents them from clicking it.
Formatting or text editor limitations
Hyperlinks are not displayed in all text editors. The simplest note applications, plain-text type fields, or older legal programs might not recognize links to make them click on. A broken link can also fail due to the incorrect use of formats like additional spaces, lines, and special characters. The problem is normally addressed by using a rich text editor, or by inserting the link properly with some form of link option or an insert URL option.
Parental controls or content filters blocking links
The links may be blocked by the child’s parental control settings or content filters, which will block incorrectly formatted links as well. All external links can be broken by these tools, or only selected sites are allowed, so that kids are not exposed to harmful materials. On the occurrence of this, the link seems unresponsive or opens a blocked page. Checking parental control settings can be used to determine whether restrictions on links are deliberate and the ways of changing restrictions safely.
Enhance their exploration while blocking inappropriate content effortlessly.
How to make a link clickable on common platforms
Not all platforms have the same procedure for making a link clickable. There are apps that just convert the links into clickable text, and some apps make you format the links in a certain style. Failure to adhere to the rules of the platform could result in the link being displayed as plain text and cannot be opened on a click. This is the reason why one should know how various sites can handle links prior to posting.
How to make a link clickable in Emails
One of the most general places where links are shared is in email. Here is how you can add links to in emails:
Using built-in hyperlink tools:
- Step 1. Click on your mail and begin composing an email.
- Step 2. Enter text that you wish to convert into a link (such as Click here to learn more).
- Step 3. Highlight the text.
- Step 4. Click the path or put the hyperlink icon on the email toolbar.
- Step 5. Insert information in the entire URL, including the prefix of the URL: https.
- Step 6. Clicking on ok or Apply to save the link.
- Step 7. This will ensure that emails are kept clean and prevent the likelihood of broken links.
Manual formatting tips:
- Step 1. Select the entire web address you wish to share.
- Step 2. Copy it and paste it into the e-mail body.
- Step 3. Ensure that the link begins with either https:// or http://.
- Step 4. Press Enter or insert a space at the end of the link in order to make the email platform identify it.
How to make a link clickable in documents?
Documents that are shared with instructions, study materials, or resources are usually shared via documents. Unless the links are included in the correct way, the reader sometimes has to copy-paste the URLs.
Word processors and online editors:
- Step 1. Open your document.
- Step 2. Click and paste the entire link (this should begin with https in the case of the latter).
- Step 3. Highlight the text or link.
- Step 4. Select the toolbar menu, button Insert link or Link.
- Step 5. Paste the URL and click Apply.
Google Docs:
1. Mark the text that you wish to put the link on.
2. Click the icon representing the link or Ctrl + K.
3. All you need to do is paste the link and click Apply.
PDFs:
1. Insert links and then save the document in the form of a PDF.
2. Save or export as PDF.
3. Open the PDF and test the link.
How to make a link clickable on social media?
On social media, the links act in different ways based on the media. Others, such as WhatsApp, also convert full URLs beginning with either https or http into clickable links in direct messages. Whereas others, such as Telegram, not only convert full URLs, but also support Markdown formatting.
- The URL contains the word https or http.
- Copy the URL and paste it into your post/ message.
- Highlight the text, and under the drop-down menu, the link option can be used (assuming that the platform allows it to do so).
- Add buttons or call-to-action links for ads or stories if needed.
Profile links vs post links
There are profile links and post links on social media. A profile link takes users to the profile account page of a person or organization. It is perfect to have your general presence or brand and get people to follow you or connect with you.
A post link, on the other hand, redirects to a particular update, photo, video, or article. Such a connection is handy in cases when you would want someone to view a certain piece of content.
Safety tip: Teaching kids about clickable links
Educating children on clickable links is a very critical aspect of online security. Children are usually prone to mindless clicking of links, thus accessing unsafe websites. That’s why parents need to go through the links that kids access.
Why are clickable links risky for children?
We must first identify the fact that many children are already exposed to harmful or risky internet content, and so clickable links can be an entry door to danger. Studies assume that by 2025, up to 58 percent of all children will have seen dangerous online content, such as violent, inappropriate, or harmful content, as children will use more user-generated sites and applications with no effective control or oversight.
Phishing links
These are often counterfeit links that are designed to trick kids into sharing personal details. They are often made to look like an original link, but they are not authentic. That’s why it’s important to verify links to avoid being a victim of phishing links.
Malicious downloads
Other links that are clickable take you to websites that automatically install harmful software (malware), spyware, or viruses into a device. Malware may be spyware, steal data or slack, create friction, or even lock access till they receive a ransom.
Inappropriate content access
Children can also be taken directly to unsuitable and dangerous material without a warning. Research indicates that already a significant number of children have accessed online material that is violent and sexually explicit (or otherwise inappropriate as per their age).
How can parents control clickable links?
There are many dangers, like being redirected to inappropriate sites, that can happen without proper link management. But all that can change when parents access reliable parental control tools that have the right features. One of the most useful apps parents can use is FlashGet Kids. The app has features like screen time, which can be used to manage kids better. Here are some of the features FlashGet Kids offers to families.
- Block unsafe websites automatically: FlashGet Kids has the ability to prevent kids from gaining access to harmful sites. This can help protect kids from malware and other dangers that can come from clicking on dangerous links.
- Get alerts when kids click suspicious URLs: With the alert feature, parents will get notified when their kids try to access unsafe links.
- Manage screen time: The screen time feature by FlashGet Kids ensures parents determine how long kids can use their devices. This helps reduce how long kids spend on the internet or platforms that have clickable links.
Conclusion
As we have seen above, a clickable link can either be good or bad based on its redirect web page. Some often lead to phishing or scam sites, which parents should verify first. But there are some that lead to educational and information-based sites. Parents can also take kids’ protection a step further and check every link sent to kids. To have an easier time, parents can use apps like FlashGet Kids to protect kids and protect kids against unsafe links.
