89% of parents rely on gadgets for child entertainment

A recent Kaspersky survey reveals that 89% of parents rely on gadgets to entertain their children while traveling or to gain some free time for themselves.

The survey also indicates that over half (52%) of children in the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa (META) region receive their first personal device, such as a smartphone or tablet, between the ages of 3-7 years.

However, nearly a quarter (22%) of respondents in the META region have not discussed Internet safety rules with their children, leaving them vulnerable to online threats.

Children in the META region acknowledge the significant role gadgets play in their lives, with 78% admitting they cannot live without them. Smartphones, tablets, and game consoles are the most desired devices among children.

This underscores the critical need for children to understand the potential online threats and how to navigate them safely through proper device rules and guidelines.

Seifallah Jedidi, Head of Consumer Channel in the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa at Kaspersky, emphasizes the importance of parental control. "Most parents give their children gadgets to entertain them, spare some time for themselves, or calm down their kids. However, children shouldn't use digital devices uncontrolled. Parents should monitor their child's digital life better. This can be done by limiting screen time and holding conversations. However, a security solution is also needed," Jedidi said.

Jedidi further explains that applying parental control is a sensible precaution to protect devices and data. "It allows parents to control which sites their children visit and which games they play, disallow file downloads, block access to content on unwanted topics, and prevent the disclosure of confidential information. Kaspersky's technologies help protect finances and confidential data from cybercriminals and protect children from online risks," he added.

Kaspersky believes that parents can create a safer online environment for their children by staying informed about the latest threats and actively monitoring their children's online activities.

Open communication about potential online risks and enforcing strict guidelines are crucial to ensuring their safety. Kaspersky advises parents to install trusted security solutions on their children's devices to prevent malicious downloads.