Category: Online Safety for Kids

As technology develops and becomes more complex, parental vigilance needs to extend beyond basic content restrictions. From safeguarding your child’s privacy through VPN servers to teaching them about deepfakes, below are the essential elements needed for the security of children’s data in 2024.

Vigilance by parents to continually educate themselves is paramount because cyber criminals, hackers and online predators are also becoming more savvy.

Use Reputable Security Features

Incorporating reputable security features on devices is the first step to safeguarding digital data to the highest degree.

Here are ways you can protect your family while online:

Get VPN Secure

When it comes to keeping your child’s data safe and secure, parental controls may be the first thing to come to your mind. Restricting certain content is necessary, but many other key security features can better protect your child’s data and online realm. Ensuring your child’s privacy online is crucial, and tools such as VPN for Chrome from reputable brands like ExpressVPN can guarantee anonymity to the highest degree.

A VPN completely masks your home IP address, making it impossible for anyone to figure out where your little online explorer is clicking from. Ultimately, a VPN is one of the best features you can get to ensure that no one will track your child’s data.  Technically savvy predators will also be prevented to know where you live.

Enable Authentication Security Measures

Wherever it’s possible, use a two-factor and multi-factor authentication for your child’s accounts. By adding a second form of verification, such as one-time mobile phone codes, you’re doubling up on your data security measures.

Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) Encryption

Ensure websites use SSL encryption (look for “https://” in the URL) to protect data during transmission. Website that are not secure will show a warning to the left of the URL.  For example, in a chrome browser it will show a red x and red letters stating, “Not Secure”.

Privacy Settings on Social Media

Review and adjust privacy settings on social media platforms and apps to control who can see your personal information.

Regular Software Updates

Keep operating systems for Windows and Mac up to date.  This happens in the background, as long as you have automatic updates turned on.  Updates are vital to ensure applications are up to date to patch vulnerabilities.

Firewall Protection

Within your operating system look for a firewall setting.  Turn it on to monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic. This provides an additional layer of defense.

Regular Software Updates

Make sure any software programs you are running are kept up to date.  As with your operating system security, turn on automatic updates so you can rest assured you have the latest version to fix vulnerabilities.

Email Security

Be cautious with email attachments and links. Avoid opening attachments or clicking on links from unknown or suspicious sources. Use strong passwords to protect email accounts from being hacked and used to send out scams or spyware.

Model Healthy Digital Behavior

According to the BBC, 43% of 7,000 parents surveyed across the UK and Europe were concerned about their child’s gadget use. And perhaps not so interestingly, many parents believed they set a bad example themselves due to their heavy gadget use.

Apple has certainly taken heed of the research in recent years, as proven by their efforts during Safer Internet Day in 2023 – they spotlighted tools and resources to protect children online.

To ensure effective data security online for our children, it’s important to practice what’s preached. Here’s how:

Safe Browsing Habits

Model how to look for secure websites and how to avoid clicking on suspicious links. Show children how you exercise caution when downloading files and installing new apps. Use safe search features on any browser your child frequents.

Digital Footprint

Educate your child on the concept of a digital footprint and how any online action leaves an irreversible trace. Encourage your child to be more mindful of what they share and post and how such actions can contribute to a positive digital reputation.

Good Cyber Hygiene

Be sure to log out of your accounts when they’re not in use, and encourage your child to do the same to ensure online safety. Avoid public computers for data-sensitive tasks at all costs.

Talk About Deepfakes

Explain how sometimes deepfake technology can be used to deceive people, discussing potential consequences. A deepfake is when the face of a real person, such as a celebrity, is placed over someone else’s face to make a fake video. It will give a video great credibility and deceive unsuspecting viewers to click on a link.

This discussion will open up an a much broad conversation about how to use critical thinking and healthy skepticism to debunk information online, no matter what form it is presented, including photoshopped images and unrealistic stunts or antics in videos.

Protecting Your Child Online

By leveraging these security features and modeling behaviors to your advantage, you’ll safeguard your child’s data and stay abreast of any trends and potential challenges in the digital landscape. From here, you’ll be creating a secure and supportive space where your child can learn, connect, grow, and explore online with you by their side.

Privacy concerns have grown as children spend more time using apps and games for educational and entertainment purposes. Children today are at risk from excessive levels of peer pressure and cyberbullying, as well as inappropriate content, online stalking, and screen addiction.

Perhaps one of the most severe but neglected issues is that of privacy. In most jurisdictions, children under 13 cannot have their data sold to data brokers. Yet, a huge amount of data is amassed during their formative years. When a child becomes an adult they can remove their sensitive information or opt out of people search sites altogether. But why not start securing your child’s digital footprint from the outset?

It’s up to parents and guardians to learn about privacy risks and make informed choices on how their children use mobile apps and which platforms have the best privacy measures and age-appropriate content.

Privacy risks associated with children’s app data

According to The London School of Economics and Political Science, children are more concerned about relationships with friends online than the impact of data collection and poor privacy policies. Nevertheless, teaching children how companies and others use their personal information is vital.

After all, a long-term digital footprint can impact a child’s future. Not only can a lack of privacy lead to mental health issues, it can also affect potential employment opportunities, academic admissions, real-world relationships, and personal and professional reputations.

It’s crucial to instill in children the significance of safe and responsible online behavior and the possible dangers of sharing personal information. This approach can promote positive behavior among their immediate social network, making everyone safer.

Methods for guarding children’s app data privacy

Weak security measures or inadequate parental controls can lead to a third-party accessing data without permission. Deceptive and malicious practices can result in manipulative marketing tactics, stolen identities, or harassment of children. Implementing strong passwords and two-factor authentication is standard, but it’s just part of what must be done to ensure privacy.

Equipping children with practical tools, guidelines, and educational tips can empower them to navigate the digital world confidently. Start by doing the following:

Read privacy policies and terms of service

• Review privacy policies and terms of service agreements thoroughly before agreeing.

TIP: Understand how your information will be used and protected. Remember to:

• Add parental controls and ways to limit data collection.
• Adhere to age restrictions and age-verification practices.
• Monitor online interactions, filter content and data sharing.
• Avoid pay-to-win models and apps with microtransactions.

Use parental control tools

• Use parental control settings to manage their online activities, limit screen time, and control shared information.

TIP: Use content filters and restrictions, limit app downloads, and manage app permissions. Remember to:

• Apply content filters and restrictions.
• Limit the number of app downloads.
• Manage app permissions.
• Get tools for preventing cyberbullying.

Seek out the best reviews and recommendations

• Filter reviews to get the most informed recommendations.

TIP: Seek out reputable platforms and forums that specialize in app and website evaluations.

Remember to:

• Find reviews from trusted sources or experts in the field.
• Seek diverse opinions from various users or communities.
• Look for detailed assessments on specific drawbacks.
• Trust impartial, unbiased, and unsponsored reviewers.

Educate yourself and your child

• Teach your child about data privacy and responsible internet use. Tailor your approach to suit your child’s age and maturity level.

TIP: Tailor your approach to suit your child’s age and maturity level. Remember to:

• Discuss privacy basics, i.e., full name, address, school name, phone number, and passwords.
• Give real-life examples to illustrate the importance of safeguarding information.
• Explain what it means to be responsible online.
• Adapt the message to their age and level of maturity.

Stay updated on regulations

• Learn about the online privacy laws that apply to your children.

TIP: Look into online privacy laws specific to your region. Remember to:

• Check out the relevant COPPA (Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act) or GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) rules;
• Read up on updates or amendments to be fully aware of your rights.
• Trust authoritative federal and state sources, e.g., the Federal Trade Commission (FTC);
• Only accept reputable resources from organizations specializing in child online safety, e.g., the Children’s Advertising Review Unit (CARU).

Use child-friendly platforms

• Choose platforms and apps that offer privacy protection and age-appropriate content.

TIP: Ensure your chosen apps and platforms align with your child’s age group to guarantee appropriate content.

• Opt for child-friendly platforms with suitable content.
• Prioritize apps labeled with “Kids” or “Family.”
• Verify privacy measures that prioritize privacy protection.
• Set advanced privacy settings for as much control as possible.

Engage in open communication

• Encourage open communication with your children about their online activities.

TIP: Start by discussing their enjoyable online experiences.

Remember to:

• Ask about internet activities: “What’s your favorite thing about using the internet?”
• Discover their online issues: “Do you ever feel uncomfortable or unsure about something you see or do online?”
• Encourage safe sharing: “Let’s talk about what information is safe to share online.”
• Set guidelines: “Can we set some guidelines together for internet usage?”.

Monitor downloads and app permissions

• Read about an app before downloading it to see if it involves targeted advertising or data mining.

TIP: Be cautious with permissions that seem unrelated to the app’s primary function. Remember to:

• Deny excessive permissions that seek unnecessary personal data.
• Scrutinize app descriptions before downloading.
• Assess user reviews to identify user concerns.
• Opt for essential permissions that don’t demand unnecessary access.

Secure devices and networks

• Secure your devices and home network.

TIP: Protect your devices with up-to-date security software and robust, unique passwords.

Remember to:

• Integrate encryption protocols to protect your home network.
• Incorporate firewalls for added security.
• Add host-file filters like Pi-Hole.
• Get commercial security software and a VPN

Encourage critical thinking and caution

• Teach children to question information, verify facts, and be cautious about sharing personal details.

TIP: Help your children adopt a well-rounded approach to digital safety and privacy. Remember to:

• Discuss real scenarios to identify misinformation and teach caution.
• Have a motto: use “Think Before You Click” as a quick reminder for online safety.
• Foster an environment where children feel comfortable asking questions about online content.
• Emphasize the importance of seeking clarification when uncertain about a given online situation.

Community and education in safeguarding children online

Beyond individual parental control measures, foster a community ethos that values online safety and privacy. Parents, teachers, and companies should collaborate to create a safer online environment for children. Working as a community can make online interactions safer. For instance, integrating comprehensive educational initiatives within schools, organizations, and homes can give children the confidence they need to navigate online environments.

Collaborative efforts among parents, educators, policymakers, and technology companies are pivotal in creating a more secure and nurturing online environment for our children. Improving internet and social media literacy and instating privacy-by-design regulations can enhance their experience.

Recommendations

It can be difficult to understand the world of children’s apps and the specific risks that exist for children. Even so, parents and other adults should find a balance between allowing children to use the latest technologies and ensuring their privacy and safety. While predicting the consequences of growing up online is tough, parents should remain vigilant in finding ways to shield their children’s sensitive information from bad actors.

With many children’s apps lacking transparency in the data-safety and privacy practices, these apps may also be engaging in invasive practices, potentially exposing children to exploitative advertising and even criminal activity.

Incogni conducted worldwide research and analyzed the 10 most popular child-targeted apps from 59 countries. Their findings revealed that half of these apps extensively collect children’s data.

The troubling fact is that many apps don’t follow the best data privacy guidelines.  Due to the fact that kids spend so much of their free time on mobile devices, keeping them and their personal information safe becomes a challenge.

Insufficient parental supervision can facilitate the exposure of children’s data, not only for marketing purposes but also for malicious and criminal activity targeting children.

Press Release

Incogni, a leading personal information removal service, has conducted an analysis of child-targeted Android apps, shedding light on concerning data privacy practices prevalent in children’s apps globally.

The data was gathered and analyzed for the 10 most popular child-targeted apps from 59 countries, which yielded a total of 74 unique apps—primarily games.

The investigation focused on the data safety sections of these apps on the Google Play Store.

Data Collection Findings

Out of these 74 popular children’s apps, Incogni identified 34 that were collecting user data, and 21 that were sharing data.

The 34 data-collecting apps gather data from an average of 5.7 data points and share from an average of 2.8 data categories. Notably, 11 apps were recognized as particularly data-hungry, collecting 7 or more data points, with five collecting 10 or more, mainly their users’ approximate location (4), email addresses (8), photos (2), and purchase histories (8).

• These 11 apps accounted for 55% of all data points collected by the investigated apps, including analytics, app functionality, fraud prevention, and advertising/marketing.

Almost all data-collecting apps claimed to encrypt data and remain committed to the Google Play Families Policy. However, only 62% of data-collecting apps allowed users to request the deletion of their data.

In a global breakdown, apps popular in Oceania exhibited the highest average of 5.3 data points per use, with those in New Zealand coming in at the top. Apps in Europe averaged 5 data points, with the most data being collected in Finland (6.7 collected data points), followed by Ireland (6.2), Portugal (6.0), Poland (6.0) and Spain (5.6). In Germany most popular apps collect 5.1 data points, in the UK 4.6 and in France only 3.1.

• Among the most popular children’s apps in Europe are: Avatar World: City Life, Toca Life World: Build a Story, Kahoot: Play and Create Quizzes and Bluey: Let’s Play.

North America ranked as the third most data-hungry region, with popular apps collecting an average of 4.1 data points and sharing 0.2. Apps popular with Americans collected 4.9 data points, almost double Mexico’s 2.6.

The complexity of privacy settings, legal and regulatory gaps, and weak enforcement, contribute to the persistence of exploitative practices. The issue is intensified further by the lack of parental education.

Incogni emphasizes the need for enhanced transparency and user control, urging app developers to prioritize the privacy and security of their youngest users.

Incogni’s study, based on the rankings provided by Appmagic.rocks2 in the kids’ category, covered apps popular in 59 countries. The information on each of the 74 identified apps was then collected from the data safety sections of the Google Play Store pages and further aggregated on a country and regional level for analysis. Data collection from the Google Play Store took place on November 28, 2023.

Research Data

• ​​The full text of the study and images are available here: study
• The data used in this research is available here: public dataset

How to Ensure Data Security Online for Your Child in 2024

In an epoch where classrooms are as likely to be found in the cloud as they are in bricks and mortar, the young ones are navigating digital realms more than ever before. But with great tech comes great responsibility, especially when it comes to online security.

Why press the issue?

Well, it’s like leaving your front door ajar if your passwords are as easy as ‘1234’. Kids’ online adventures must be anchored in strong password practices to keep the cyber baddies at bay. It’s not just about the here and now, but about equipping them with the savvy to protect their digital lives into adulthood.

Why Parents Should Lend a Hand

When it comes to tech, there’s a bit of a gap, isn’t there? Kids tend to run circles around their parents. But with online security, it’s not just about know-how, it’s about know-why. Parents getting involved can help little ones understand the gravity of cybersecurity. It’s like teaching them to tie their shoelaces: They’ll trip up a few times, but you’re there to make sure they don’t fall flat on their face.

With online hazards more prevalent than ever, it’s vital for parents to lay down the foundations of what makes a strong password, much like explaining the birds and the bees of the internet world. After all, it takes a family to raise a digitally savvy kid.

The Joy of Independence: Kids Taking the Wheel

Yet there’s something to be said for letting kids have a crack at it on their own terms. After being shown the ropes, giving wee ones the freedom to create their own passwords is a cracking way to make them feel more involved and responsible. It’s empowering, a bit like that first ride on a bike without stabilizers.

Sure, they might wobble a bit, create a password that’s a touch on the weak side, but it’s all part of the learning curve. Establishing a sense of ownership over their digital safety can lead to a lifetime of savvy surfing. The trick is to keep an eye out so they don’t veer off the path.

The Art of the Strong Password: A Tutorial for Tots

Cracking the code to creating strong passwords can be as fun as it is educational. It starts with turning it into a game — think ‘Password Bingo’ where they mix and match symbols and letters, or ‘Secret Agent Codes’ where every password is a mission. The gist of it? A strong password for educational online activities (as well as non-educational) is a mix-up of upper and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols that looks like alphabet soup to anyone who tries to snoop. Teaching kids the value of this seemingly jumbled mess helps them understand that, just like a bike lock, the trickier it is, the tougher it is for someone to nick their details.

The Why’s and Wherefore’s of Password Power

So, why make a meal out of memorizing complex passwords? For starters, it’s about as crucial as learning to look both ways before crossing the street. Each strong password is a child’s personal guard dog for their information treasure trove. By ingraining these habits early, youngsters learn that their actions have consequences, bracing them for the day when they’re responsible for critical information like bank accounts. Plus, it’s about dodging the digital pickpockets that lurk in the shadows of the internet, waiting to pinch anything from game points to important personal data.

Future-Proofing the Fledgelings: The Long Game

It may seem like a bit of a faff now, but down the line, knowing how to create a beefy password will pay dividends. Today’s Minecraft mastermind could be tomorrow’s tech titan, and a strong grasp on digital security is a sterling start.

As these youngsters grow into their digital boots, they’ll come to appreciate the value of security know-how. Whether it’s safeguarding a social media empire or ensuring their latest start-up isn’t hacked, strong password etiquette is something they’ll thank their stars (and perhaps their clever parents or teachers) for, somewhere down the track.

Instilling the know-how of crafting a solid password is just as crucial as teaching the ABCs in this digital age. While it may not come with a gold star or a house point, the peace of mind from knowing their personal data is sealed up tighter than a drum is priceless. And let’s face it, in today’s online-centric world, that’s a lesson worth its weight in gold (or bitcoins, for that matter).