Mumsnet users share what they think about children using mobile devices with cyber security experts ESET

[JustineBMumsnet]

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Mobile devices like smartphones and tablets have become a part of everyday life, and children are increasingly using them. With this in mind, ESET Mobile Security would like to hear what your thoughts are on children using mobile devices and becoming vulnerable to cyber threats.

Here’s what ESET has to say: “With ever more of us living a life online, every member of the family can be left vulnerable through their phones or tablets and smartphone users with no antivirus software are opening themselves up to some serious threats. Whether it is virus software, dodgy apps or phishing emails, our devices are increasingly susceptible and it is becoming more and more crucial to consider how you can best protect your phones and tablets.”

When do you think children should have access to mobile tech like smartphones and tablets? Do your children have their own devices, or do they use yours? If your children are using smartphones or tablets what do they use them for? Have you spoken to your children about internet security measures? Have you downloaded antivirus software on to your devices?

All who post on the thread below will be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 voucher for the store of their choice (from a list) and one year’s free Premium subscription to ESET’s Mobile Security App.

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

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My oldest will start secondary school in September and then I will consider getting him a mobile phone. At the moment, it's not an issue - he loves ICT and coding at school, plays on a Nintendo 2DS and uses the internet at home. We haven't put parent controls on our laptop yet, but know it's something that we need to do - I've heard some dreadful stories from colleagues about what children have seen on phones. I understand that Nokia have relaunched an old phone, that is not a smartphone, only allowing you to call or text. This sounds like a good idea but I'm not sure how that would stand up to peer pressure and street cred for most teenagers.

My daughter is 9 and has mentioned a phone a few times but isn't too bothered. I think we have a few years yet! I understand the circumstances where children need phones earlier (separated parents for example) but I'm happy to wait a bit longer.

I think it depends on the age of the child.
Primary school age children shouldn't need a mobile phone in my opinion.
For older children, I think having a mobile phone is fine as long as they are educated on security before they get to use it unsupervised.
Mobile phones are a huge part of the world we live now so it makes sense for Children to have one and be educated on the benefits and pitfalls of owning one.

If they are young there is no need for them to have their own devices. It also allows you to be able to keep track of what they are doing, download appropriate games etc..
Technology should not be avoided, and they can have their own devices once they are older but for now having it monitored and controlled in terms of how much is used is a good way to go I think.

I do believe it is the parents choice when they allow their child to have a mobile phone, I am not in that territory yet but I'm guessing that the transition to secondary school is about the right time. With that though, parents should install some parental controls and ensure they supervise and monitor their children's usage; the internet is a scary place and children of any age should not have free reign.

My son aged 7 has a tablet which is restricted. He can only looked at downloaded material. I don't let him look at my phone or the computer unsupervised. I don't let him play any computer games at all like Fortnite though he tells me his friends are allowed to. Luckily he isn't too bothered and prefers playing outside.

My son got a mobile on his 11th birthday and has had an iPad since he was 6. I regularly check his devices to see what he has been using them for and to ensure there is no inappropriate content on them. I think it’s important that kids have access to technology but are reminded of the potential dangers regularly.

I think as long as parents are vigilant and check regularly that children are not engaging in inappropriate content or behaviour, it is fine because we live in an electronic age and access to devices is the norm.

As long as they are heavily supervised fine

I think they’re a fact of life now. We count tablet time as screen time and try to limit it.

My son has used a tablet since he was very small but with very close supervision. He's 10 now and is still closely monitored, he will be for quite a while to come. There does come a time when they need a little more privacy but there is a fine line I think. Safety has to take precedence over privacy every time. I have a 15 year old as well and she has a lot more privacy but there have been occasions when I have asked to check what she's been doing just to make sure she's keeping safe - it feels intrusive but she understands that we only ever do it when we think we have reason to worry.

I've always let my son use my PC with my supervision. But saying that I have been reluctant to let him have his own device. The pressure to keep up with the other kids is all around because they all seem to have tablets and smartphones.
I have agreed to my son having an iPad as his school uses them for lessons and homework and for his birthday he got an iPhone because his older sister had one.
I wont let him have a social media account such as facebook or twitter. When I feel he is ready for one, I will make an account on his behalf and keep the privacy settings monitored.

It should be limited to a couple of hours each day. and only tablet using secure home wi-fi with content controls enabled

My eldest is 5, he doesn't have his own mobile but will occasionally use one of ours under supervision. He mostly uses them to watch videos on Netflix/ Amazon Prime or play on Apps that we have downloaded for him - Cbeebies etc. I wouldn't be happy with him using it unsupervised especially on apps with internet access.

I find it a bit scary, I can imagine being a child is much more fraught than it was when I was a child

My personal belief is that children not yet at secondary school just do not need a mobile phone. Happy for them to have access to computers and tablets, but I just do not believe their lives would be negatively impacted by not having one at that age. I think that in the current society we have though secondary school age children have now incorporated these into their standard social life and anyone not having one may feel left out, but I still believe in monitoring usage until the child has shown that they are responsible. Just my 2 cents worth :)

Our boys have their own tablets which they play games on and watch videos under our supervision. They won't have phones for another few years yet, I expect they will first get a cheap phone for when they go out to play on their own so that they can ring home if they need to and I can get hold of them. As long as screen time is limited, I don't think it is a bad thing, my boys have 1 hour per day maximum. Anything over than that and they tend to look a bit glazed in the eye and need some fresh air!

Mine are too young to have mobile phones at the moment but they do have a tablet they share between them. We have parental controls set on this so they cant access social media and certain types of sites (adult, gambling, chat rooms etc) but they only really use this when with one of us of their grandparents anyway.

I don't think I would buy them mobile phones until they're at least about 13 and I certainly wouldn't want them using social media before then.

hello

They play on my phone and tablet on CBeebies app but it is monitored

When do you think children should have access to mobile tech like smartphones and tablets? Do your children have their own devices, or do they use yours? If your children are using smartphones or tablets what do they use them for? Have you spoken to your children about internet security measures? Have you downloaded antivirus software on to your devices?

I don't think there is a correct age for a child to own a phone. I think it's down to the parents choice and the circumstances.
My daughter is 13 now and has had a phone or tablet from a very young age (5). She uses hers now for social networking and youtube mainly.
Ive never thought about an antivirus on mobiles as it doesnt seem a problem like it has been on laptops etc in the past.
I like to think my daughter knows not to click on weird links or go on websites that are unsecure but i suppose it could be done very easily.

i think its a pandora's box if connected to the internet

I don't think children should use phones or any smart devices too early. It's a part of today, yes, but we haven't used them so much or any at all and we grew up just fine and know how to use all of them without any trouble. Let them enjoy childhood instead of placing them in front of phones and tablets.

I think the world we live in they need access to phones and mobile devices however, they also need to have a really good grounding in safety, and I think the devices need to be checked regularly for inappropriate content and apps etc

My children have mobile phones. They got them for their 11th birthdays. They seemed to be the last of their peers to get a phone. I like the comfort of knowing on their walk home alone from secondary school they can call for help if they need to and I can also track their location through ‘find my friends’. They have screen time limiters so they can’t stare at them for more than a set amount of time each day and they can’t use them for anything other than emergency calls after 8pm and before 7am. I think as long as you are sensible and set clear boundaries that the pros outweigh the cons once they are of a certain age to understand the dodgy websites, spam links risks.