Kaspersky: How to keep children safe online

Children are the most vulnerable online as they are in the real world. So it’s important that parents reduce the chances of kids being exposed to any risks.

Children know much about the power of the Internet like its power to answer numerous questions. However, what they don’t know is much about  Internet security like phishing, social networking etiquette, viruses, online privacy etc

Bethwel Opil, Channel Sales Manager at Kaspersky Lab in East Africa talked to KenyaCurrent.com on how to keep Children safe online. Below are excerpts.

Q: I know cyber criminals are on the loose and are even targeting children. Do you have statistics on how children have been targeted?

A: It is a widely held belief that children in this day and age spend way too much time on their devices. Children are practically glued to their devices, most prohibitions and access restrictions are hard for parents to apply and monitor. According to a survey conducted by Kaspersky Lab and B2B International over a 12-month period, 22% of parents polled indicated that their children were affected by cyber incidents. Examples of these incidents included cyberbullying attacks and their children stumbling upon sites with inappropriate and/or damaging content for youngsters. In fact, in South Africa alone, 47% of parents believe that the threats facing their children online are increasing.

Q: Are there tools parents/guardians can use to monitor children’s use of internet? Are there tools to control sites children can access online?

A: On the Internet, you can find information about — and images of — almost anything. However, when it comes to our children’s online activities, we need to make sure they’re protected against contact with undesirable people, inappropriate or harmful content and malicious software or attacks. While sometimes we don’t always realise when our children are experiencing a cyber threat, this is not a reflection on your parenting style, but rather often due to the fact that there are so many different types of cyber threats as well as keeping track, on their various social media platforms.

Kaspersky Lab offers Kaspersky Total Security – multi-device with Safe Kids (Enhanced Kids Protection). The product not only protects privacy and confidential information of users but also allows parents to better monitor children’s online activity and physical location, prevent them from going to inappropriate websites, and regulate the amount of time their kids use digital devices.

Children as young as three years old are accessing Internet-enabled devices and many parents are finding it challenging to ensure their children, regardless of age, are safely exploring the digital world. It is designed to address these concerns and improve the ability of parents to create new ways for their children to use connected devices and browse the Internet.

The multi-platform software not only protects kids from viewing inappropriate content on websites and apps, but it also helps parents manage the amount of time children spend on their Internet-enabled devices. In addition, with the Safe Location feature, parents can monitor their child’s location in real-time, set up safe areas and receive automatic alerts if their child moves outside the agreed perimeter.

Q: What should children and parents know when using the Internet to be safe?

A: Children are the most vulnerable online as they are in the real world. So it’s important that parents reduce the chances of kids being exposed to any risks. Here are a few online safety tips to help parents and children your kids safe online:

• Talk to your children about the potential dangers that they may face online.

• If possible, locate the computer in a family room.

• Try to make the computer a shared family experience.

• Encourage your children to talk to you about anything they experience online that upsets them or makes them feel uncomfortable.

• Restrict the content that can be accessed via the computer:

• Many Internet security solutions can help you to do this

• Provide guidelines that let your child know what they are allowed — and are not allowed — to do on the Internet. For example, your guidelines could tell your child whether they are permitted to:

• Register with social networking or other websites

• Make online purchases

• Download music, video or program files

• Use instant messaging programs

• Visit Internet chat rooms

• If your child is allowed to use instant messaging and / or visit chat rooms, it’s worth explaining to them that it’s dangerous to chat with or send messages to anyone that they don’t know and trust.