Children's Internet activity requires bigger attention from parents

The ever-growing popularity of the "net" among children is not a new topic. However, in the current pandemic situation it takes on a new dimension. And this means that parents who want to ensure their safety should be much more aware than before about the presence of children on the Internet. This also applies to increasing vigilance regarding children's online activities. The research carried out by Trend Micro Polska this year shows that during the pandemic, children's online activity increased, and some parents directly admitted that they do not know what their children have access to on the Internet.

The aim of the study conducted in June this year by Trend Micro Polska – a company specializing in cybersecurity for individual users, companies and institutions. Its goal was to obtain knowledge about the use of the Internet by children, the issue of their safety on the Internet and parents' concerns related to this media.

The development of technology and access to it is a factor conducive to using the Internet, and the time of the pandemic turned out to be an additional factor that contributes to this. According to the Trend Micro Polska study, more than half of parents (57 percent of parents of children aged 8-12 and 55 percent of parents of children aged 13-16) noticed that during the epidemic and school closures, their children's online activity increased compared to the pre-pandemic period. This increase was in surfing the web for pleasure or for personal purposes, and was not related to the need to participate in online classes.

"The data collected by Trend Micro Polska shows some disturbing phenomena. The first is unlimited access to the Internet. Most children do not have set limits on the data or access time on the devices by which they connect to the Internet. Such freedom allows children to enjoy the benefits of the Internet. In addition, from the point of view of children's safety on the Internet, it is also worth paying attention to the fact that about 50-70 percent of parents admitted that they do not know the passwords to theirs account / profile, e.g. FB, Instagram, TikTok, etc.,"  Anna Falkowska, Marketing Manager CEE from Trend Micro Polska, pointed out.

(WBJ)