How can parents encourage their children to use online technology safely? Recent research by scientists at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) suggests that a good strategy is to talk to your kids directly about online privacy and security—from a young age through high school.
First problem is getting the people talking to their children to care about privacy. I’m a grown-ass adult and it’s hardly at the top of my priorities, regularly using Google services with Bing as my search engine to get me Microsoft Rewards points I can blow on games.
It’s going to be even tougher for a kid whose friends are all on TikTok and who has no money (and would probably be delighted to learn about services that pay miniscule amounts for data, like the Amazon and Google Play ones in addition to the Microsoft one).
I think for kids it’s more alarming just because of how much data they’re willing to throw out there to pure strangers like on TikTok. Who they are, how old they are, their regular schedule, what they like, that’s all just terrifying to me.
Then after that as someone who had their identity stolen in a breach, teaching them about when you should and should not have to give your info, when to use dummy accounts, etc.
Then what you’re talking about is lowest priorities, what you give to Microsoft and Google. Still important, but not giving your SSN over to randos is a good start