As a cybersecurity expert, I prioritize the safety of my children online. It’s important for parents to be aware that popular online services are collecting significant amounts of data from children, often without their knowledge. Tom Gaffney, a cybersecurity expert at F-Secure, emphasizes that social media and gaming sites not only scan users’ contact lists but also their connected hard drives. Additionally, criminals target children through popular online games.
According to research by advertising company SuperAwesome, advertising companies possess up to 72 million data points on the average 13-year-old child. Gaffney expresses his concern over how data is collected and utilized, stating that he would never allow his children to use these types of apps. He explains, “From a privacy perspective, all apps are data-hungry, which makes me hesitant to let children use them.”
The primary motivation behind data collection is monetization. Apps collect data and sell it to data brokers and advertisers. This becomes a greater concern when considering apps that target young people since children are more likely to provide personal information within the app. This issue is exemplified by the case of Roblox, which has no age limit and 230 million users worldwide, many of whom are children.
Gaffney points out that hackers often target children on platforms like Roblox, making them easy targets. Phishing is one method used to hijack Roblox accounts, where users receive deceptive emails or text messages asking them to click on a link or download an attachment. Once the user falls into this trap, the hacker gains access to their account. Children are more vulnerable to these attacks due to their lack of experience and awareness of suspicious messages.
Concerns surrounding children’s privacy and data breaches extend beyond Roblox. Meta’s Messenger Kids app has faced criticism for safety breaches and general privacy issues regarding children’s data. Gaffney suggests that WhatsApp is a safer alternative due to its end-to-end encryption, which prevents third parties from accessing messages sent between phones.
Social media sites like TikTok are also deemed inappropriate for children by Gaffney due to their aggressive data collection practices. TikTok has not yet provided a comment on this matter. Snapchat poses the risk of account hijacking, where criminals take over a user’s account. The parent company, Snap Inc, advises against users under 13 using the app and provides tools like Family Center to assist parents in managing their children’s accounts.
To protect against account hijacking, Gaffney recommends introducing children to password manager services early on, establishing good habits from the start. This is especially crucial if children use the same password across multiple platforms.
In summary, as a cybersecurity expert and concerned parent, it is essential to be aware of the data collection practices of popular online services. It is crucial to protect children from potential risks by limiting their use of apps that collect excessive data, implementing end-to-end encryption where possible, and educating them on password security.
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