18% of Internet users in South Africa have lost either money or important information as a result of their children\u2019s online activity, according to joint research by Kaspersky Lab and B2B International.<\/p>\n
This number suggests that, in addition to the risk of children encountering cyberthreats, they can also cause inadvertent problems for their parents.<\/p>\n
However, the numbers are not so surprising when considering that 41% of respondents locally believe their children know little about computer technology, and 28% believe their kids know nothing of cyberthreats,\u00a0Kaspersky said.<\/p>\n
“That same lack of awareness poses risks for parents who allow their children to use their online devices,” the security firm said.<\/p>\n
The study was conducted via an online survey from May to June 2014 with users from 23 countries, drawing responses from 11,135 people – 409 of which were from South Africa.<\/p>\n
9% of respondents said their children had accidentally deleted important information, while 8% faced unexpected bills from app stores after the youngsters got online.<\/p>\n
“All in all, every fifth polled parent confessed they had had an experience of losing money or important data because of their children\u2019s actions.”<\/p>\n
Kaspersky’s research found that only a third of parents are really alert to the danger of these their children’s actions online.<\/p>\n
35% of parents indicated concern that their children may spend money online without parental consent, and only 23% were worried that their kids share confidential information too freely online.<\/p>\n
The positive side is that parents indicated that they do use various methods to avoid problems and protect their children from online threats.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen parents think of their children spending time online, their first concern is to protect them from unwanted content on the web,” Kaspesrky said.<\/p>\n
“However, there is another important aspect that should not be forgotten, and that is the problems kids may cause for their parents.”<\/p>\n
Notably, the firm also found that adult children might also use their tech savvy to help older parents who know little about cyberthreats.<\/p>\n
Apple to refund $32.5 million in purchases made by kids<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Beware what your kids say online<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n