How can parents promote safe online technology use among their kids? A good strategy, according to recent research from the National Institute of Standards and Technology ( NIST ), is to discuss online privacy and security with your children directly from early childhood through high school.  ,
Interviews with 40 parent/child pairs of children between the third and 12th grades were conducted as part of the research project, which the NIST team members refer to as an exploratory study. Understanding how parents try to influence their children’s online activities and knowledge about privacy and security was the objective. This included understanding their knowledge of online privacy, security, and risky online behavior.  ,
The preliminary findings and recommended tactics of the NIST team include:  ,
- Talking to children is never too early. start when they use technology for the first time. Children were interested in learning more about how to stay safe online because they were aware of security, privacy, and online risks even in elementary school.  ,
- Children gain a better understanding of how to navigate the digital world when they are spoken to. Many parents were hesitant to discuss online security and privacy, frequently blaming their own ignorance. However, children were more knowledgeable when their parents discussed online security and privacy with them. Parents can talk about online activities and making wise decisions, so conversations do n’t have to be very technical.  ,
- Recognize that children may have a different perspective on the internet. The children believed they had control over online security and privacy. They also believed that understanding each circumstance is necessary because not all risks are the same. However, parents frequently advised their children to refrain from certain activities because they believed them to be extremely risky. Talking about your options for behavior and the potential repercussions of each may be more beneficial.  ,
In two papers, the team will present its findings: one in July 2023 at the International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction, and the other in August of the same year. This video was also made by NIST to share the research with the general public.  ,
” Olivia Williams and others.” How parent-child dyads differ in their perceptions of online risk: They’re not risky vs.” It can ruin your whole life.” International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction ( HCII ), July 23, 2023.  ,
et al., Olivia Williams A dyadic examination of kids and their parents to better understand online privacy and security. August 6–8, 2023, 19th Symposium on Usable Privacy and Security.