{"id":152806,"date":"2022-05-13T16:30:52","date_gmt":"2022-05-13T11:00:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/?p=152806"},"modified":"2024-01-15T01:42:13","modified_gmt":"2024-01-15T09:42:13","slug":"whats-a-parent-to-do-closing-the-protection-gap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mcafee.com\/blogs\/family-safety\/whats-a-parent-to-do-closing-the-protection-gap\/","title":{"rendered":"What\u2019s a Parent to Do? Closing the Protection Gap between You and Your Children."},"content":{"rendered":"

Hands down, children look to their parents to keep them safe online more than anyone else, which begs the question\u2014what\u2019s a parent to do?<\/p>\n

Our recent study on connected families<\/a> found that nearly three-quarters of children said their parents were best suited to teach them about staying safe online, nearly twice than teachers at school (39%) and more than twice over for online resources (34%). Parents recognize their role as a protector online as well, with an overwhelming 90% of parents worldwide agreeing that they\u2019re the primary source.<\/p>\n

However, our study also found that parents could be taking more steps to protect themselves online, let alone taking steps for their children. In fact, when looking at how parents protect themselves and then if they protect their children the same way, a distinct gap appears. <\/p>\n

Online Security Habits Across Devices <\/h2>\n

Figures that were already low for relatively straightforward and relatively easily employed safety measures drop yet lower for children\u2014such as installing antivirus software, protecting the computer with a password, or sticking to reputable online stores when shopping.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

For example, on computers and laptops, note the 11% drop in antivirus usage, the 14% drop in device password\/passcode protection, and the 9% drop in regular updates to the operation system.<\/p>\n

This trend continues when the study looked at mobile device protection for parents and children. The numbers were similarly low, and sometimes lower than the rate of protection on PCs and laptops. For example, while 56% of parents said that they protect their child\u2019s smartphone with a password or passcode, only 42% said they do the same for their child\u2019s smartphone\u2014a further 14% drop.<\/p>\n

Across the board, parents reported protecting a child\u2019s smartphone to a lesser degree than they protect a child\u2019s computer or laptop\u2014notably when it comes to installing antivirus on phones, to a figure of 19% less (57% to 38%).<\/p>\n

Mobile Device Usage Among Children <\/h2>\n

What\u2019s striking about this is how tweens and teens access the internet today. Our report found that 74% of them said that their smartphone was their most important device (followed by their gaming console at 68%). Moreover, the rate at which they use their smartphones indicates that these devices are their primary onramp to the internet. By ages 15 to 16, some 90% of children worldwide report using a smartphone.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Given these findings, two important points stand out for parents:<\/p>\n