As kids start using smartphones and tablets at a younger age, it’s important for parents to be aware of cybersecurity threats and how to protect their children. Kaspersky experts provide valuable tips and insights to keep kids safe online.
Children will increasingly use AI tools that, so far, are not ready to provide the necessary level of cybersecurity and age-appropriate content
About 80% of young people interact with AI multiple times a day, as per to a UN research. Little-known AI applications have emerged with seemingly harmless features, like uploading a photo for modification. However, the user never knows where their photos will ultimately remain or how they will be used.
AI chatbots can provide age-inappropriate content. Some are designed to offer an “erotic” experience, which can be dangerous for children even with age verification.
The growth of malicious actors’ attacks on young gamers
Latest online statistics showed that 91% of children aged 3-15 play games on any device. Some games have unmoderated voice and text chat, which can be exploited by cybercriminals to gain the trust of young players. Criminals lure young gamers with gifts or promises of friendship, and then obtain their personal information through phishing links or grooming.
The development of FinTech industry for kids marks the appearance of new threats
More and more banks now offer specialized products and services for children, including banking cards for kids as young as 12. However, this makes children vulnerable to financial scams and cybercriminals who can exploit their trust with social engineering techniques and pose as peers to obtain card details or money transfers.
The number of smart home threat cases with children being potential targets, will increase
Despite the increasing cases of threats to smart home devices, manufacturers are not taking enough measures to create cyber-immune technology to prevent possible vulnerabilities. This lack of security means that children can become easy targets for cybercriminals in the event of an attack.
For example, if a smart device is hacked and turned into a surveillance tool and a child is home alone, cybercriminals can contact the child through the device and obtain sensitive information such as their name, address, and the time their parents will be away from home. In such a scenario, there is not only a risk of device hacking but also a risk of financial data loss or even physical harm.
Children will demand their personal online space is respected
As children grow up, they become more aware of themselves, including their personal space, privacy, and sensitive information. This applies to both their offline and online activities. Therefore, when parents decide to install a parenting digital app on their children’s devices, not all kids will be happy about it.
That’s why it’s important for parents to know how to talk to their children about their online experiences and the significance of using digital apps for parenting to ensure online safety while also respecting their children’s personal space. This involves setting clear boundaries and expectations and discussing the reasons for using the app with their children.
Children are eager to download apps that are unavailable in their country, but stumble upon malicious copies
If a particular app is not available in their region, young users tend to look for alternatives which are often malicious copies. Even if they turn to official app stores like Google Play, they still run the risk of falling prey to cybercriminals.
Between 2020 and 2022, Kaspersky researchers discovered more than 190 apps infected with the Harly Trojan on Google Play. These apps signed up users for paid services without their knowledge. The estimated number of downloads of these apps is 4.8 million, but the actual number of victims may be even higher.
“Therefore, it is crucial to teach children the basics of cybersecurity from an early age, how not to fall into the trap of cybercriminals, what cyberthreats can occur during gaming, and how to properly protect your personal data. All this is now a must-have knowledge not only for adults, but also for the youngest users,” shared Andrey Sidenko, security and privacy expert at Kaspersky.
Kaspersky experts are convinced that protecting children from cybersecurity threats in 2024 requires proactive measures from parents:
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By staying informed about the latest threats and actively monitoring their children’s online activities, parents can create a safer online environment for their kids.
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It’s crucial for parents to have open communication with their children about the potential risks they may encounter online and to enforce strict guidelines to ensure their safety.
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To help parents introduce their children to cybersecurity amidst the evolving threat landscape, Kaspersky experts have developed the Kaspersky Cybersecurity Alphabet with key concepts from the cybersecurity industry. In this book, your kid will get to know new technologies, learn the main cyber hygiene rules, find out how to avoid online threats, and recognize fraudsters’ tricks. After reading this book together, you’ll be sure that your kid knows how to distinguish phishing websites, how VPN and QR-codes work, and even what honeypots and encryption are and what role they play in modern cybersecurity. You can download the pdf version of the book for free and go through the basics of cybersecurity with your child, building their cybersafe future.
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To secure your child from downloading any malicious files during their gaming experience, we advise to install a trusted security solution on their device.
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With the right tools such as Kaspersky’s digital parenting app Safe Kids, parents can effectively safeguard their children against cyber threats in the digital age.
To learn more about cybersecurity threats targeting kids in 2024, read the full post on KDaily.
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