Technical knowledge: parents think their children have passed them

We recently conducted research which shows that more than half of UK parents think their child is more digitally savvy than they are, with 55% expressing concern about this. The main concerns of parents are that their children spend money without their knowledge, access inappropriate content and talk to strangers.

Our research, which surveyed a total of 2,000 UK parents of children aged 7-17, revealed a few additional key facts:

• More than 2 in 5 parents (42%) spend time trying to learn how best to use technical devices
• 39% learn as much as possible about online safety in order to keep pace with their children
• Nearly half (46%) want more training and guidance from cybersecurity and online privacy vendors
• Surprisingly, more than a third of millennial parents who grew up with the internet think their kids are better at browsing digital devices than they are.

Avast offers advanced antivirus and anti-tracking privacy protection features that prevent malware while preventing stalkers and advertisers from tracking your family’s online activity. Avast One provides all-in-one service for everything you need to take care of all your family’s devices in one premium, easy-to-use service.

For even more savings, take advantage of our back-to-school sale by September 15.

Internet Usage Rules Leading to Family Disputes

While 83% of parents whose children have Internet access let them use it unsupervised, with the average child starting at age 10, two-thirds say they are worried about doing so while half (52% ) admits to not having enough time to constantly monitor their activity.

This can put a strain on families, as two in three (66%) who allow their children to access the internet argue with them about what they do online. This is made more difficult when the child has a variety of technologies at their disposal, with 6 in 10 parents (57%) believing that multiple devices can make it more difficult to protect their safety online. Despite this, the average child who uses the Internet has access through three devices and 2 in 5 (39%) have access to four or more.

Making digital safety accessible to today’s parents

Jaya Baloo, Head of Information Security at Avast, comments: “Parenting in 2022 is becoming increasingly complex. From an early age, children come into contact with the Internet and a variety of devices that allow them to access it.

We understand that children are also under social pressure to connect with their friends online on various sometimes dubious social platforms and that it is increasingly difficult for parents to keep up with the technological advancements and ever-increasing knowledge of their children. on this subject. It’s time for parents to go back to school in September, not just for their children. »

Marvyn Harrison, parenting influencer and founder of Dope Black Daddies, says: “My children are four and six years old and already use many devices that have access to the Internet. For parents who didn’t grow up with a similar experience, understanding how your child uses the internet and making sure they can navigate it safely is imperative.

My children’s generation has so many opportunities to create and enjoy what the world has to offer, all thanks to the power of the internet. By ensuring we stay informed about the ever-changing world of the internet and the security and privacy products on offer, as parents we can help our children exist online in the safest way possible and give ourselves peace of mind.

Our top online safety tips for parents and kids

Our research shows that parents are naturally concerned that their children know more about the Internet than they do. Fortunately, there are simple steps and easy-to-use tools that parents can use to educate themselves and ensure their children can benefit from the many positive and educational aspects the Internet has to offer.

In order to teach parents how improve their digital literacy So they can help their kids surf the internet more safely, we’ve created a set of tips for staying safe online ahead of the school year.

1. Lead by example

Before you rush to implement the more technical tips below, consider spending some family time online together to help you as a parent identify the content and platforms your kids are accessing. Explain what personal information is, how sensitive data can exist online for a long time, and the risks of talking to strangers. Above all, create an atmosphere where children feel comfortable coming to you if they come across something online that upsets or threatens them.

2. Update your software

One of the most basic yet important things you can do to keep yourself and your children safe online is to regularly update the software on all your devices. If you do not download the latest update when it is available, your devices are exposed to attacks due to the latest security vulnerabilities.

3. Be aware of Phishing

It is important to educate your children about phishing scams and spot them. Your children can be targeted through gaming and social media. Tell your children never to give out personal information and to avoid clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown senders.

4. Familiarize yourself with your browser

Your browser has a lot to do with your security when you’re online. Browsers with a strong focus on privacy and security, such as Avast Secure Browserhave built-in features to hide and protect your personal information, prevent hackers from stealing your data, and block ads for faster browsing and online learning.

5. Know what social media platforms your kids are using

Social media is increasingly becoming a part of children’s lives. Some apps such as BeReal allow young users to share their location coordinates with high accuracy. Don’t forget to check the app-specific privacy and security settings. For example, the ability to set the account to private and allow only known users to access it, or the additional information the app collects, such as location and other off-platform data.

6. Use a password manager

Teach your children to adjust strong passwords for each login and website. A strong password should be long and complex, consisting of special characters, numbers, and lower and upper case letters. Using a separate or included password manager in a secure browser is easy to set up and will greatly reduce the risk of hacking.

7. Use Adblock

Because it can be difficult for children to identify suspicious content online, installing a ad blocker as well as appropriate parental control can help them navigate the web and avoid malicious sites.

By September 15, you and your family can enjoy savings for our back-to-school sale.

The research was conducted by OnePoll between August 12 and August 19, 2022, surveying 2,000 parents.