Children are 'weakest link' in family's online security, survey shows

SINGAPORE — Half of young parents in Singapore aged 18 to 34 believe that their children are likelier to be bullied online than at a playground, and around half of all parents across the ages of 18 to over 55 worry that their children will divulge too much personal information to strangers, or be lured into real-world meetings after interacting with strangers online.

Yet, despite these concerns, about a third take no precautions at all when their children surf the web.

These findings were revealed in a report released on Wednesday (March 2) by cybersecurity firm Norton, which surveyed more than 17,000 Internet users across 17 countries aged above 18 years and who owned at least one mobile device. In Singapore, 1,009 respondents took part in the survey.

In its press release on the report, Norton cited the online behaviour of children as the “weakest link” in a family’s online security.

Nearly half of parents surveyed worry that their children will do something online that will put their whole family at risk, and about a third have had their online security compromised by their children, who unwittingly downloaded viruses to the family’s personal computer, or fell prey to online scams and phishing messages.

Mr Gavin Lowth, vice president of Norton consumer and small business in Asia Pacific and Japan, said: “Children are becoming increasingly comfortable with technology devices like smartphones or tablets, and parents must be proactive in educating their children on online safety.” 

On what parents should do to safeguard their children during their time online, Mr Chong Ee Jay, manager of TOUCH Cyber Wellness, advised parents to be good role models to their children and to communicate with them often. The non-profit agency helps to promote online safety and a healthy cyber culture at home and in schools.

Mr Chong told TODAY: “(It is) important for parents to demonstrate empathy by being open-minded and willing to listen to their children on some of the challenges and struggles they face and not be too quick to jump in with assumptions or solutions. Providing this listening ear also allows parents to be more aware of and better understand the challenges their children face.” 

He also encouraged parents to talk to their children regularly, in order to find out how they are doing in their social life online and off, in addition to setting age-appropriate rules and guidelines on what their children can and should not do on the Internet. 

Digital devices should also be used in an open area, such as in the living room instead of the children’s bedrooms, so as to allow parents to observe their children’s use of them.

Parents should also ensure that their children do not chat with anyone they do not know, and there should be consequences should they break any of the agreed rules, such as confiscation of their mobile devices. 

Digital devices should be a privilege, not an entitlement to the children, he added.

Ms Nor Azizah, a mother of two in her 30s, monitors the social media accounts of her son who is in Secondary 1, and her daughter who is in kindergarten, and makes it a point to ask them about their new friends.

“I remind my son not to accept any request from strangers and educate him on the dangers he may encounter, especially pedophiles who may prey on children through the Internet,” she said, adding that she also told him to post anything racist and discriminatory.

Mr Lowth said: “Protecting children online is weighing heavier on parents than ever before as cyberbullying, online predators and privacy are now real-world concerns.”