Online security company AVG Technologies has released the results of an online survey conducted on its behalf by Harris Poll.†The survey examines how closely parents are managing their children’s internet activity and connected device usage.†The company found that 72 percent of U.S. parents with children aged 3-17 say their child received their first own connected device (such as smartphone, tablet, e-reader, or laptop), before seventh grade. One in two “connected” children, or 51 percent, received their first device before fifth grade.
When asked whether parents have had the 21st century style “talk” about internet security, AVG’s survey shows parents are on the right track, but can do better:
- Nearly 3 in 4 (72 percent) parents of children aged 3-17 that own their own connected device have proactively spoken to their children about the dangers of the Internet
- Just over half (56 percent) know the password to their children’s connected device(s)
- 41 percent have installed a parental block on those devices
- Only half of parents of children aged 3-17 (51 percent) cite that they check their child’s activity at least weekly, with about one in five checking their activity less than once a month or not at all (19 percent)
With the understanding that children are now receiving their connected devices earlier than ever, the company suggests that parents follow these best practices:
- Have an open and ongoing discussion on the potential dangers of the internet with your child: As technology’s role in their life becomes more and more prevalent, children must understand that their connected device is like a power tool – very useful but also potentially dangerous.
- Have a transparency policy with your child and their device(s): While passwords are crucial to keeping your child’s device protected from strangers, you the parent are not a stranger. Check out AVG’s Free Online Safety Guide for Parents to help them become more informed, vigilant, and available when it comes to their children’s online safety.
- Use built in parental features and other safety measures already on the device(s): Look to see if the browser or phone has parental settings that can be enabled. Use these features to set your child’s use and access to what is acceptable to you.
- Make sure the devices have protection from malware:† AVG provides free and paid solutions for Android, PC, and Mac that can all be managed through AVG Zen. To download AVG Zen for free, go to www.avg.com/zen.
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