A recent study conducted by the United Nations showed that nearly 80% of young people interact with AI applications multiple times a day. However, there are many potential risks that may arise from the use of these applications by young users.

One of these risks is the loss of data privacy. When children upload their personal photos to certain AI applications, they do not realize that these images may be stored in databases and used for other purposes. As a result, their privacy and the security of their personal data may be put at risk.

In addition, there are other security risks such as cyber threats. Some AI applications may be vulnerable to hacking or theft, which could expose young users to serious dangers.

Finally, some AI applications — particularly chatbots — may present inappropriate content for children if requested. For example, there are chatbots specifically designed to offer stimulating and age-inappropriate experiences for children. Although some of these chatbots may require age verification before allowing access, many children may choose to lie about their age to reach this content.

According to estimates, there are more than 300,000 chatbots on Messenger alone, and not all of them are considered safe or free from the aforementioned risks. Therefore, it is extremely important to discuss the importance of privacy and the risks of excessive data sharing with children, as well as to regularly monitor their online experiences.

Increase in Malicious Attacks on Young Gamers:

The latest online statistics show that 91% of children between the ages of 3 and 15 play electronic games across various devices. This is a high number and is a cause for concern.

What adds to this concern is that some children prefer to communicate with strangers through gaming platforms rather than social media. This exposes them to the risks of interacting with unknown individuals online.

In some games, unsupervised voice and text chats are considered an important part of the experience. This gives criminals an opportunity to gain the trust of child victims through enticements and false promises. Once trust is established, criminals attempt to trick players into providing their personal information through phishing links carrying malicious files.

Therefore, parents must be vigilant and maintain communication with their children while they play electronic games. To protect against downloading malicious files, Kaspersky experts recommend installing a trusted security solution on all children's devices.

This article highlights the growing risks children face when playing electronic games, and the importance of the parental role in monitoring and protecting their children.

 

New Threats to Children Due to the Evolution of the Fintech Sector:

Recently, we have seen a growing number of banks offering banking products and services specifically designed for children. These products include banking cards designed for users under 12 years of age.

Despite the benefits these cards may provide to children — such as managing expenses and learning money management — they may also expose children to certain risks and threats. For example, online criminals may target them with financial fraud attempts, such as promising them free gifts in exchange for their banking card information.

Perpetrators may also use social engineering techniques, pretending to be friends to gain children's trust, then exploiting them by forcing them to share card details or transfer funds to their accounts.

With the continuous evolution of the financial technology sector, there is an urgent need to educate children about these potential threats. To mitigate concerns about card loss or disclosure of banking data, Kaspersky experts recommend using digital NFC cards on smartphones instead of plastic cards. They also recommend enabling the parental approval feature for transactions, if the bank provides this option.

In general, despite the potential benefits of banking accounts for children, it is essential to take appropriate security measures to protect children from the risks associated with these services. Parents, mothers, and teachers must raise children's awareness of these risks and how to deal with them safely.

Smart Home Security Threats Are Increasing with Potential Targeting of Children:

Manufacturers of smart home devices have not yet developed attack-proof devices that proactively prevent the exploitation of vulnerabilities, despite the increasing number of smart home device security threat cases.

At the same time, the variety of IoT devices that can be purchased for homes is growing, and these devices have become commonplace for children — which also means that children can become tools for cybercriminals in attacks.

For example, if criminals successfully hack into a smart device and use it as an effective surveillance tool, and a child is home alone, criminals can contact the child through the device and request sensitive information such as: their name, names of family members, their address, the times their parents are away from home, or their parents' credit card numbers. In such a scenario, victims may be at risk of having their financial data stolen or of a real robbery attack.

Since parents will not be able to prevent children from using smart home devices, Kaspersky experts recommend achieving the maximum level of security for these devices. This includes at least adjusting the default security settings, setting new passwords, and explaining basic cybersecurity rules to children who use smart devices at home.

Respecting Children's Personal Space Online:

As children grow and mature, they develop a high degree of self-awareness. This awareness includes a deep understanding of their own personal space, privacy, and sensitive data — whether in their real lives or online. As a result, if a parent firmly expresses their intention to install a parental control application on a device, not all children will accept this without objection.

Therefore, parents now need to discuss their children's online experience skillfully and thoughtfully. They must talk with their children about the importance of parental control applications for maintaining cybersecurity, while also respecting personal privacy at the same time. This includes setting clear boundaries and expectations with children, and discussing the reasons behind using these applications with each child individually.

In this way, parents can involve children in the decision-making process, rather than imposing monitoring unilaterally. This will build trust and mutual understanding between children and parents, ultimately leading to better outcomes.

 

Children's Attraction to Downloading Apps Not Available in Their Country:

Children face real risks when attempting to download applications from untrusted sources. This may expose them to malicious software such as spyware and ransomware. Even when using official app stores, children are still vulnerable to theft and misuse of their personal data.

Kaspersky conducted a comprehensive study between 2020 and 2022 and revealed the existence of more than 190 malicious applications in the Google Play Store, through which online intruders subscribed users to paid services without their knowledge. It is estimated that these applications were downloaded at least 4.8 million times.

Therefore, it has become critically important to teach children from an early age how to avoid these cyber dangers. They must be equipped with basic cybersecurity knowledge, warned about the risks of electronic threats while playing online games, and taught how to properly protect their personal data. This knowledge has become necessary not only for adults, but for young children as well.

How to Protect Your Children from Cyber Threats in 2024?

Based on Kaspersky experts' recommendations for 2024, parents are advised to take the following proactive steps to protect their children from cyber threats:

1. Stay constantly informed about the latest cyber threats: It is important for parents to be aware of the latest digital risks and threats their children may face online.
2. Continuously monitor children's online activities: Parents must regularly follow and track their children's online activities to ensure they are using the internet safely and appropriately.
3. Create a safer online experience for children: By using appropriate protection tools and parental controls, parents can provide a safer and more protected digital environment for their children.
4. Open communication with children about potential risks: It is important for parents to discuss with their children the potential risks they may encounter online, and to explain how to deal with them safely.
5. Enforce strict guidelines to ensure children's safety: Parents must establish clear rules and guidelines for internet use by their children, and ensure strict compliance with them to protect them.

By following these recommendations, parents can enhance the digital security and protection of their children in 2024 and beyond.

 

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