The Cybersecurity Council identified six cyber risks that threaten UAE children, including fake links, untrusted uploads, keeping account settings “public” on social media sites, unauthorized access to data, and allowing permissions for applications to access features such as the child’s location, or the camera. Or the microphone, in addition to electronic bullying.
In detail, the Cybersecurity Council, as part of its awareness campaign “Be Vigilant, Be Informed, Be Protected,” which it implements through its official accounts on social media platforms, called on parents to be careful and carefully check the applications that their children download and use, and to control and understand privacy settings to protect data. Personal information, pointing out that “privacy settings on devices, applications, and electronic platforms allow individuals to control what they share, so one must be careful of what is shared online, share geographical location only when necessary, and use Multi-factor authentication, reviewing the permissions granted to applications, and removing unnecessary ones.”
Warnings
The Council stressed that protecting our children’s digital world from cyber risks requires avoiding fake links, unreliable downloads, and unauthorized access to data, always checking the reliability and credibility of sources before downloading any files, installing reliable and updated protection software to combat viruses and threats, and controlling Full – in the applications’ powers to protect school and personal data, manage screen time effectively, in addition to constantly participating in monitoring their activities online.
He said that every download directly affects the safety of the child, as “unsafe downloads expose our devices to malware, threaten our personal data, and may lead us to legal accountability,” pointing out the necessity of verifying the reliability of sources, avoiding suspicious links, and educating children about safe downloading practices.
He also stressed the importance of individuals taking the initiative to protect themselves online, after it became possible to immediately verify the safety of websites, and report fraud and phishing easily through the StaySafe website from the Cyber Security Council.
Secure devices
He added: “With the increase in cyber threats, securing your family’s devices is no longer an option, but rather an urgent necessity that requires controlling application permissions to protect privacy, activating safe browsing to protect against phishing attacks, using strong and different passwords for each device, and activating automatic updates to ensure maximum protection.” “In addition to activating parental control to ensure a safe digital environment,” he stressed that “protecting the digital environment for our children has become extremely important, with a third of children in the Emirates being exposed to online communication from strangers.”
He said: “Through the features of locating, locking, and wiping data remotely, privacy and security can be ensured even in unexpected situations.”
App permissions
He warned against being lenient in allowing application permissions to access features such as location, camera, or microphone, as not all applications need this level of access, and unnecessary permissions may expose your child to risks such as data breaches or location tracking, noting the importance of reviewing application permissions regularly. , stop any unnecessary access, and teach the child the importance of application privacy, to maintain the safety of his information.
The Council identified three basic permissions that must be paid attention to, including location, camera, microphone, and contacts, stressing the importance of not allowing applications to fully access the child’s location, and the necessity of restricting access to these features, except in the case of extreme necessity, and maintaining the privacy of the child’s contact list. .
Steps for protection
The Council provided a set of tips for sharing content over the Internet, including using secure channels to share confidential data, constantly updating the anti-virus program, activating automatic updates for the operating system and all programs, avoiding clicking on suspicious links or downloading untrusted attachments, and not using the same password. For multiple accounts, to reduce the risk of any of them being hacked, in addition to avoiding using public networks to conduct transactions that include personal and financial data.
He continued: “Although sharing online may seem simple, it opens the door to potential threats, ranging from tracking and identity theft, to the security risks you may face in your home,” pointing out the importance of avoiding sharing personal information such as address and phone number. Or financial information in public forums, or social media.
Cyberbullying
He also called on the Council to work together to create a safer electronic environment for children, to protect them from electronic bullying, which affects the bully and the victim alike, pointing out the importance of recognizing the signs of children falling victim to electronic bullying early, as it allows parents to intervene and provide support, by By promoting open dialogue, encouraging blocking and reporting of harmful content, and promoting a sense of self-confidence, by understanding each perspective, we can guide the bully toward empathy and help the victim regain strength and confidence.
Statistics
The Council stated that 97% of children in the Emirates use smart devices on a regular basis, with 64% of them watching video clips and 52% playing games, while 32% of children in the Emirates receive messages from strangers over the Internet, and 19% of children in the Emirates encounter… Digital threats, such as infecting their devices with malware.
Statistics also showed that 39% of parents and 33% of children in the Emirates have public accounts on social media, which exposes them without their knowledge to the risks of revealing personal details, such as location, school names, and hobbies. The Cyber Security Council recommended updating the Chrome browser for devices to the latest version from Google, which recently issued emergency security updates for its browser to address security vulnerabilities.
The Council also recommended updating Microsoft’s hardware systems to the latest version of Microsoft, based on Microsoft’s recent release of emergency security updates to its systems, to address security vulnerabilities.
Signs of cyberbullying
The Cyber Security Council has identified five signs that children are victims of cyberbullying: sudden withdrawal, change in device usage habits, decreased self-confidence, emotional fluctuations, and avoidance of school or social activities.
He stressed the importance of increasing cyber awareness among families and children, and creating a safe digital environment in which children feel confident and secure.
He pointed out that dealing with victims of cyberbullying requires helping victims regain self-confidence, encouraging open dialogue, and creating a safe space to express feelings, by highlighting their strengths and unique value, and teaching them protection measures, by guiding them on how to report effectively, and encouraging them to communicate. With trusted people or advisors.
He pointed out that dealing with a bully requires directing him towards positive change, addressing the root causes, by identifying the basic problems he is experiencing, enhancing empathy by helping him understand his impact on others, encouraging positive channels by directing energy towards constructive activities, and enhancing responsibility from During his education, he took responsibility for his actions and learned from them.
. %97% of children in the UAE use smart devices on a regular basis.