63% of families buy their children’s first smartphone to keep track of them

• The data is extracted from a survey conducted by the company S2 Grupo to find out about technology and cybersecurity habits in families.

• Along with this, 76% of respondents say it is necessary to manage the time their children use connected devices.

• S2 Grupo experts have shared some safety recommendations for minors on the Internet, including the use of parental control tools, limiting time on the Internet and informing them of the types of cybercrime and cyberbullying, among others.

Valencia, August 17, 2023.- The Valencian company S2 Grupo, specialized in cybersecurity and critical systems management, has reported that summer and vacations are one of the times of the year when children use technology more and spend more time connected. In this context, it has conducted a survey through its LinkedIn profile to find out some of the cybersecurity habits in families.

The results show that 63% of families say that what prompted them to buy their children's first smartphone was to be able to keep track of them. However, the main motivation for 29% was that their friends already had a cell phone and only 8% acknowledged that they had acquired it as a way of rewarding them.

With regard to the interest in 'monitoring' the location of children, S2 Grupo has pointed out that adults must bear in mind that this can only be done with the consent of the children and it must be taken into account that in this area there are fundamental rights of minors that cannot be violated. Therefore, this must be an agreement between parents and children.

In relation to whether or not it is necessary to manage the time that minors spend online, 76% said that they manage the time their children use technological devices, compared to 24% who leave it up to the young people themselves to do so.

S2 Grupo experts have pointed out that children and teenagers are one of the most vulnerable groups in the use of social networks and, therefore, it is essential to share with them some guidelines to help them make their use of technology cybersafe:

1. They need to know and recognize the main types of harassment that exist on social networks as well as to protect their digital identity - "Knowing the risk is key to avoid it and, of course, not to do it. The little ones should know what cyberbullying, grooming, sexting or identity theft are, for example," explained José Rosell, managing partner of S2 Grupo.

2. It is essential to promote open and honest communication with our children about their Internet activity, so that they feel comfortable sharing doubts or any concerns in this environment - S2 Grupo experts recommend talking to them regularly in a relaxed and calm tone and sharing their own experiences. 

3. Use parental control tools - "We must inform ourselves and know what parental control measures we can use to accompany minors in the use of new technologies. They are very useful for setting time limits, even when using video games, for supervising their activity, blocking inappropriate content, restricting the option to 'buy' in the apps they use, and determining privacy restrictions, among other options", insisted José Rosell.

4. Set the rules and monitor their activity.- S2 Grupo has explained that just as children have rules in other areas of their lives and parents are aware of their activity, the same should be done in connected environments so that they are cybersafe and navigate in a responsible manner. The company's experts have emphasized that while it is necessary to monitor and educate, parents need to know that their children's terminals cannot be monitored or checked without their consent.

Some basic tips might include telling them not to share personal information, not to post personal photos or videos, not to meet in person with anyone they have met online, and to keep their social network profiles private.

5. Finally, it is advisable to set time limits for Internet use and encourage offline activities so that there is a balance.