Parents in Magadan begin instructing their children on internet safety prior to purchasing electronic devices.
In a recent joint study by MTS's digital ecosystem and Avito, the common safety rules that parents in Russia teach their children regarding online behavior have been revealed. The study, involving 10,000 respondents from various age groups across Russia, sheds light on the practical safety knowledge that parents equip their children with to navigate the digital world responsibly and securely.
Key aspects of these safety rules typically include:
- Being cautious with personal information: Parents advise their children not to share sensitive details such as home addresses, phone numbers, or passwords online.
- Avoiding interaction with strangers: Parents teach their children not to communicate with unknown persons or accept friend requests from strangers.
- Recognizing and avoiding suspicious content: Parents help their children identify potentially harmful or inappropriate content and encourage them to exit those situations.
- Practicing responsible digital communication: Parents encourage respectful behavior online, including understanding that actions and words on the internet can have real consequences.
- Seeking adult guidance: Parents urge their children to speak with them or trusted adults if they encounter anything disturbing or confusing online.
These points are inferred as common elements of "the basics of safe online behavior" that the vast majority of parents reportedly teach. The emphasis is on equipping children with practical safety knowledge to navigate the digital space responsibly and securely.
Arseny Epov, the Director of the MTS Kids safe space service Membrana Kids, comments that modern children are immersed in the digital world by the age of 5-6. He suggests that parents should become their children's reliable guide in the digital world, not shield them with walls.
According to the study, online cinemas receive 14% of daily time spent on online platforms by children in Amur. Social networks and short video services receive 28%, online shopping platforms like marketplaces and classifieds receive 12%, video hosting receives 43%, and messengers receive 31%. Gaming platforms and online games receive 31%, while music streaming services receive 5% of daily time spent on online platforms by children in Amur.
Arseny Epov emphasizes the importance of an honest and open dialogue with children about the risks of the internet. He suggests discussing with children the reasons why they shouldn't trust personal data to strangers, how to recognize manipulations, and why any doubt is a reason to immediately turn to a parent. These discussions are key to internet safety, according to Epov.
Interestingly, the study also found that 26% of parents are willing to allow their children to use digital platforms from the age of 12, while 33% are willing to allow their children to use digital platforms from the age of 8. On the other hand, 6% of parents are willing to allow their children to use digital platforms from the age of 3, and 17% are willing to allow their children to use digital platforms from the age of 4.
The study also found that 28% of parents monitor their children's screen time, while 26% ask their children to monitor their own screen time. However, 12% of parents do not limit their children's internet time.
Moreover, the study found that 77% of parents teach their children not to share personal data, while 72% teach their children not to follow suspicious links. Interestingly, 67% of Amur residents teach their children safe behavior on online platforms, while 24% engage in digital security prevention even before purchasing a smartphone.
In conclusion, the study highlights the importance of online safety education for children in Russia and the key safety rules that parents teach their children. The emphasis is on equipping children with practical safety knowledge to navigate the digital world responsibly and securely.
- Parents in Russia not only teach their children to be cautious with personal information such as home addresses, phone numbers, or passwords online but also encourage discussions about the risks of sharing such data with strangers.
- Arseny Epov, the Director of the MTS Kids safe space service Membrana Kids, advises parents to adopt an honest and open dialogue with their children about the internet, including why they shouldn't trust personal data to strangers and how to recognize potential manipulations.
- In addition to teaching their children not to share personal data, 77% of parents in Russia instruct them on safe behavior on various digital platforms, preparing them for personal-growth and education-and-self-development activities on gadgets like smartphones and other modern gadgets.
