Usman Qureshi, Kaspersky’s national representative in Pakistan, has raised concerns about children’s vulnerability to cyber attacks in today’s digital ecosystem. With 91% of children aged 3 to 15 playing games on internet-connected devices, parents are encouraged to be aware of cyber security trends as children become potential targets for hackers, particularly through the use of artificial intelligence (AI).
Qureshi underlined the need of educating children about the fundamentals of cyber security from an early age, such as learning how hackers work, identifying possible hazards while gaming, and protecting personal information. He emphasized that the growing development and popularity of AI, smart homes, gaming, and the fintech industry present new difficulties to children’s online safety.
According to UN study, about 80% of young people use AI numerous times every day. Qureshi said that ostensibly innocent AI technologies, particularly chatbots, might readily give age-inappropriate information when asked. With 91% of youngsters playing games on various gadgets, hackers may exploit their confidence by giving rewards and tricking them into clicking on malicious links, resulting in the compromise of their personal information.
The fintech business, which caters to youngsters as young as 12 with specific goods and services, brings new concerns. Qureshi stated that the introduction of banking cards for youngsters exposes them to financially driven threat actors and traditional frauds. Cybercriminals may utilize social engineering methods, such as acting as classmates, to deceive minors into revealing credit card information or conducting unlawful money transfers.
Furthermore, Kaspersky forecasts an increase in smart home threats aimed at children. Despite the increasing amount of threats to smart home gadgets, manufacturers have been sluggish to adopt cyber-immune technologies.
As children get older, they gain more self-awareness, including a sense of personal space, privacy, and sensitive data both offline and online. Qureshi stressed the need of parents discussing their children’s online experiences, underlining the value of parental control programs for digital safety while preserving personal space.
In light of these concerns, the call to action is clear: parents must take proactive steps to educate and protect their children in the ever-changing realm of digital technology, guaranteeing a safer online experience for the next generation.
Arshad Hussain