52% of Millennial parents in Singapore surveyed believe their children are more likely to be bullied online than on a playground and 56% worry their children will give out too much personal information to strangers.
Norton Cybersecurity Insights Report reveals children are the weakest link in family cybersecurity.
Findings from the Norton Cybersecurity Insights Report 2015 highlighted parental concerns about their children in the online world.
“In the last year, Norton has seen the online safety awareness levels of parents increase rapidly as technology firmly cements itself in the family home,” said Gavin Lowth, Vice President, Norton Consumer and Small Business, Asia Pacific and Japan.
Cyberbullying, online predators and privacy are some of the biggest issues parents in Singapore are grappling with as bullying moves from the playground to the online world.
Parents are concerned about their children being lured into meeting a stranger in the outside world (52 percent) and more parents are worried that their children will be bullied online (46 percent) than if their children take on the role as the online bully (38 percent).
The Norton Cybersecurity Insights Report is an online survey of 17,125 device users aged 18+ across 17 markets, commissioned by Norton by Symantec.
“Parents are grappling with Cyberbullying, Online Predators and Privacy in Singapore,” said Gavin Lowth (in the photo), Vice President, Norton Consumer and Small Business, Asia Pacific and Japan; at the Symantec office in Suntec City in Singapore.
Children are the weakest link in family’s online security
“Children are becoming increasingly comfortable with technology devices like smartphones or tablets, and parents must be proactive in educating their children on online safety. Protecting children online is weighing heavier on parents than ever before as cyberbullying, online predators and privacy are now “real” world concerns,” said Lowth.
Nearly all parents surveyed (90 percent) worry about their children’s safety online – and in particular, how their actions will have repercussions on the family.
Nearly half (49 percent) of parents in Singapore worry their children will do something online that will put their whole family at risk.
Nearly 3 in 10 parents (28 percent) have had their online security compromised by children’s actions.
To alleviate these concerns, more than three in ten parents are taking measures to protect their children online –
- Almost 2 in 5 parents (39 percent) limit the amount of information they post about their children on social networks 36 percent of the surveyed parents require computer use to take place in common areas in the home.
- 35 percent only allow Internet access with parental supervision.
- 35 percent limit access to certain websites.
Despite these measures, one in three parents in Singapore have had a child’s actions compromise their online security.
Most often children have downloaded a virus to family PC.
Tips for Parents
Here are some actions Norton by Symantec has suggested that parents can take to protect their children and keep their family safe online.
- Have an open dialogue – It’s important to start the conversation with your children early and have an open dialogue. Set aside time to discuss appropriate online behaviour and create age-appropriate “House Rules” about how computers, smart phones and gaming systems are used. It is also important to be a positive role model for children and lead by example.
- Educate children – Spend some time educating children regularly about the dangers of the Internet and create awareness around issues such as sexting, cyberbullying, online predators and privacy. Check to make sure your children are not sharing private information like passwords, addresses and phone numbers with people they don’t know.
- Explore technology – Consider free parental control technologies, such as Norton Family, that help to set and enforce the ground rules and can limit the sites that can be accessed and the type of information that can be shared online.
Here’s a 30-days free trial of Norton Family, and here’s more information about Norton Family Premier.
Tags: bullying, children, cyberbullying, cybersecurity, family, Norton, security, Singapore, Symantec