Guarding the digital playground: Parent's guide to cybersecurity

The introduction of children to technology is happening at an increasingly younger age. This early exposure to the digital world, while beneficial in many ways, also carries significant risks due to the evolving tactics of cybercriminals. Parents must stay updated on the latest cybersecurity threats targeting young internet users to ensure their safety. 

Today, we aim to shed light on various cybersecurity trends and provide practical advice for parents to safeguard their children's online presence.

AI and its impact on young users

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming numerous industries, and its applications are becoming a part of daily life, from chatbots to personalized online shopping experiences. This technological advancement naturally attracts the curiosity of children, who often use AI tools for educational purposes or entertainment. A UN study indicated that approximately 80% of young participants interact with AI multiple times daily. However, these interactions are not without risks, including data privacy breaches, exposure to cyber threats, and inappropriate content.

Children often use AI applications for seemingly innocuous activities like photo editing. These apps might prompt users to upload personal photos, which could then be stored in unknown databases or used in ways the user did not intend. Parents must guide their children in using these applications cautiously, ensuring no personal information is visible in the background of photos or shared through the app.

AI chatbots, while useful, can sometimes provide content that is not age-appropriate. Imagine a scenario where a parent has installed an AI chatbot on their child's smartphone to assist with homework and answer educational questions. One day, the child decides to ask the chatbot a seemingly innocent question about birds. However, instead of receiving a child-friendly response, the chatbot generates inappropriate content related to adult topics or includes explicit language, causing the child to stumble upon content that is not age-appropriate.

In this example, the AI chatbot, though designed to be helpful, has failed to filter or moderate its responses properly, leading to a potentially harmful and inappropriate experience for the child.

The world of gaming and its hidden dangers

Gaming is a popular activity among children, with statistics showing that 91% of children in the UK aged 3-15 play digital games. This vast digital playground, however, also exposes them to potential attacks from cybercriminals. In 2022 alone, security solutions identified over seven million attacks related to popular children's games, marking a significant increase from the previous year. Games designed for younger children, such as Poppy Playtime and Toca Life World, were targeted.

The gaming environment often includes unmoderated voice and text chats, which can be a breeding ground for cybercriminals. These criminals can build virtual trust with young players, similar to how they would in person, by offering gifts or promises of friendship. Once trust is established, they can extract personal information, encourage clicking on phishing links, or even groom the children for more sinister purposes.

Moreover, when children can't find an app or game in their region, they might look for alternatives, which often turn out to be harmful copies. This danger exists even on trusted platforms like Google Play. Between 2020 and 2022, the research identified over 190 apps infected with the Harly Trojan on Google Play, secretly signing up users for paid services. The downloads of these apps are estimated at 4.8 million, but the real number of victims could be higher.

Both children and adults are vulnerable to this trend. Understanding cybersecurity basics is crucial. For instance, it's vital to examine the permissions an app seeks when you install it. Consider a basic flashlight app – it has no reason to request access to your text messages or camera. Being alert to these details is crucial for maintaining online security.

Fintech for kids: Opportunities and risks

One emerging trend is the development of financial products and services tailored for children as young as 12. These specialized offerings, such as bank cards and digital wallets designed for kids, present both promising opportunities and notable risks for young consumers and their parents.

Opportunities:

• Financial Education: Fintech products for kids can be powerful tools for teaching financial literacy from an early age. 
• Parental Control: Fintech solutions designed for children often come with built-in parental control features. These features allow parents to monitor their child's spending, set spending limits, and receive real-time notifications of transactions. 
• Digital Payments: In an increasingly cashless society, introducing children to digital payments and financial technology at a young age can help them adapt to the changing financial landscape.

Risks:

• Cybersecurity Threats: As fintech products for children gain popularity, they become attractive targets for cybercriminals. Cybersecurity risks include phishing scams, identity theft, and data breaches. 
• Social Engineering: Cybercriminals may use social engineering tactics to manipulate children into revealing sensitive information or making unauthorized transactions. 
• Financial Implications: While fintech products offer financial education opportunities, they also expose children to the risk of overspending or making unwise financial decisions. 

Navigating online privacy with growing children

As children mature, they develop a greater understanding of personal space and privacy, which extends to their online activities. With the internet becoming more accessible, children are increasingly conscious of these aspects. Therefore, when parents decide to install digital parenting apps on their children's devices, the reaction from the kids might not always be positive.

This situation necessitates that parents develop the ability to effectively communicate with their children about their online experiences and the significance of using digital parenting tools for their safety, while also respecting their personal space. It's important to set clear boundaries and explain the purpose of these apps to the children. Regularly checking in with them and modifying the app's restrictions as the child grows and becomes more responsible is also crucial for maintaining a healthy balance.

A quick note on smart home devices

As a final thought, to ensure that this article is comprehensive, it’s important to note that the rise of smart home devices has made life more convenient but also more vulnerable to cyberattacks. Children, who are often users of these devices, can unknowingly become targets for cybercriminals. For example, some security studies on a popular smart pet feeder uncovered serious vulnerabilities that could allow unauthorized access and data theft. Parents must ensure the security of these devices and educate their children on safe usage practices.

Final thoughts 

In conclusion, as technology continues to advance, so do the challenges and risks associated with its use, particularly for young users. Parents play a critical role in educating and protecting their children from these evolving cyber threats. By staying informed and engaging in regular discussions about online safety, parents can help ensure a safer digital environment for their children.