Kaspersky draws a portrait of young users: Can’t live without gadgets, but have little safety guidance
Submitted by: APO Group - Africa NewsroomMost parents give their children gadgets in order to entertain them, spare some time for themselves or calm down their kids
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, February 19, 2025/APO Group/ --
According to a recent Kaspersky (www.Kaspersky.co.za) survey*, 91% of parents surveyed in South Africa and 89% of parents surveyed in the Middle East, Turkiye and Africa (META) region use gadgets to entertain and occupy their children while traveling or to gain some free time for themselves. Moreover, half (50%) of children in South Africa and over half (52%) of children in the META region receive their first personal device – a smartphone or tablet – quite early, at the age of 3-7 years. However, 26% and 22% of respondents respectively have not discussed Internet safety rules with their children. This means that some of the children, who are often left one-on-one with their devices, are not always aware of how to behave safely online.
The children themselves admit that gadgets play a significant role in their lives. According to their own admission, 72% in South Africa and 78% in the META region cannot live without their gadgets. Smartphones, tablets and game consoles are at the top of the list of the most desirable devices for children. This emphasises the critical need for children to understand that they can be exposed to threats online, what this means and how to safely navigate this through appropriate device rules and guidelines.
“Most parents give their children gadgets in order to entertain them, spare some time for themselves or calm down their kids. However, children shouldn’t use digital devices uncontrolled. Rather parents should monitor their child’s digital life better. This can be done by limiting screen time and holding conversations, however, a security solution is also needed”, comments Seifallah Jedidi, Head of Consumer Channel in the Middle East, Turkiye and Africa at Kaspersky.
“Applying parental control is not showing distrust to your child; it’s a sensible precaution with which you can, among other things, protect the device and the data on it. It allows parents to control which sites their children visit and which games they play, as well as disallowing file downloads, blocking access to content on unwanted topics and preventing the disclosure of confidential information. This way, Kaspersky’s technologies help protect finances and confidential data from cybercriminals, and protect children from the risks that may lurk in the online environment”, he adds.
Kaspersky suggests protecting children with the following proactive measures:
- Parents can create a safer online environment for their children by staying informed about the latest threats and actively monitoring their children’s online activities.
- 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.
- To secure your child from downloading any malicious files during their online experiences, we advise installing a trusted security solution on their device.
- With the right tools such as Kaspersky’s digital parenting app Safe Kids (https://apo-opa.co/3D0IQij), parents can effectively safeguard their children against cyber threats in the digital space.
*The survey was conducted by Toluna research agency at the request of Kaspersky in 2023. The study sample included 10000 online interviews (5000 parent-child pairs, with children aged 3 to 17 years) in 5 countries: Türkiye, South Africa, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kaspersky.
Latest from
- Our Devops And Securityops Approach On Azure
- Unlocking The Secrets Of Estate Living: Key Insights For South African Property Buyers
- Budget 2.0 Tax Hangover For The Public
- Recycling Vs. Upcycling: What's The Difference And Why It Matters?
- The Up&up Group Appoints New Leadership
- African Bank Named In Brand Finance South Africa 100 Ranking
- South Africa: Minister Dion George Announces Proclamation And Implementation Of Climate Change Act
- Why South Africa Needs To Teach Entrepreneurship In Schools Now
- What's The Future Of Early Childhood Education In South Africa Amid Funding Woes?
- Roll Into Fun With An Unforgettable Experience At John Dory's Sushi Masterclass
- Mining Services Company Secures Dynamic Capital Funding From Edge Growth
- Major Chinese Car Brand Geely Is Coming Back To South Africa
- R1tn For Infrastructure: South Africa's New Budget Promises Growth If Maintenance Keeps Pace
- Trade Intelligence Announces New Identity
- The U.s.-africa Energy Forum (usaef) Partners With African Energy Chamber, African Energy Week 2025