A recent Kaspersky survey has revealed that over half (53%) of Egyptian children aged 11-17 conceal their online activities from their parents and other adults. To achieve this, 23% of teenagers set passwords on their devices, 23% clear their browsing history, and 17% use the internet only when their parents are not around.
The survey also highlighted that 57% of these teenagers prefer to hide the time they spend online, with 32% not wanting their parents to know which websites they visit. Alarmingly, 26% of children conceal their visits to websites with adult or aggressive content, while 33% hide their consumption of adult content.
Seifallah Jedidi, Head of Consumer Channel in the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa at Kaspersky, emphasized the importance of building open communication between parents and children, especially concerning their digital lives. Jedidi explained that while parents might not be able to monitor every aspect of their child’s online activities, it’s crucial to maintain a close relationship and create an environment where children feel comfortable reaching out with concerns.
Kaspersky also provided several tips to help protect children’s online experiences:
- Parents should stay informed about the latest digital threats and monitor their children’s online behavior to create a safer environment.
- Open communication about the potential risks online and clear safety guidelines are essential.
- Installing a trusted security solution on devices can prevent malicious file downloads.
- Kaspersky’s Safe Kids digital parenting app can assist parents in safeguarding their children against cyber threats.
The survey, conducted by the Toluna research agency for Kaspersky, included 10,000 online interviews with parents and children aged 3 to 17 in five countries: Turkey, South Africa, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
