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 daughter is 10 and she seems to be the last child in her class to get a phone. I really really didnt want to but she was feeling so left out i couldn't say no anymore. Although we are fairly strict with its limit she doesnt have a sim card so can only use the internet at home. My husband is really great with gadgets so put all the security settings on from Google and we can even turn her phone off and make changes via our own mobile. Now she has one I dont mind it was just the thought of kids growing up so fast but that is how the times are changing. The good things are we can track her which is great for safety, she can use it for homework such as apps to help with maths.

my daughter has a mobile which we got when she started secondary school. During school days we have strict rules where she puts the phone away at certain times so she can do her homework. We randomly check the phone and she uses it to talk/text her friends. I do think children can get addicted and it has an affect on their social skills.

I think an hour or so a day is ok when they are young

Only for when they are a bit older and they shouldn't be taken into school classes.

Children need to be comfortable amongst their peers.
If a third or more of their friends have something, they need to have it as well if at all possible. If they don't they will begin to feel marginalised, and that is damaging to self esteem, confidence, and ultimately mental health.
Parents who bear this in mind, and manage the risks of technology with their child's need to fit in will find a way forward.
On a very basic level, give your child a phone that's cool enough that they're not ashamed of it, but not so expensive they'll get beaten up for it.

ITS NOT THE phone itself but more how and when it is used, Like any moddern invention, the phone has so many positive things but every =thing has to be age appropriate and used appropratky. I would say starting highschool is a good time .

I think I am alright with my ones using, but as long as it's not too often. My little ones use my iPad and phone for fun educational games sometimes as a treat for good behaviour.

As they are ubiquitous in life I think it's important that children are introduced to this sort of technology at home where rules and boundaries can be put in place.

I think I pads should be well supervised by parents of young children. Age appropriate games can actually be educational for then. I would always set a time limit though. For mobiles, no need until high school and would put off social media apps for as long as possible.

I don't think it's a problem as long as the time is limited and they play outside and read etc.

My two have a Amazon kindle each which is just restricted to kids apps.

They have a set amount of time that they can use it for and that’s only if homework etc is done.

I think it’s inevitable that as they get older their time spent on them will increase but for now and while I still can I will monitor it.

I have a few apps for children on my tablet and phone. Mine are still preschool/primary age and I don’t let them access anything “open” where they could browse independently, see ads, or buy anything.

I think educating children about internet security sort of happens a bit too young at the moment. It implies that having been educated children could then take some responsibility for their own online safety. IMO that’s not the case, it should still all rest on the parents at that age.

I think it's acceptable to an extent; it's how we interact in the modern world and we can't shield them from it.

They need to learn and be safe, but it should be controlled and limited.

My son is 11 and he has had his phone for about a year now, it is useful now that he is getting to the age where he is becoming more independent, i.e. walking home from school, going out with friends. I mistakenly set it up with my google account so I can see pretty much anything he searches for online with it and I have already warned him of the dangers of the internet and being cautious with personal information.

It has almost become the norm in today society, that every child has some form of technological device be it mobile phone or tablet computer. I think with the right measures put in place and parental setting for peace of mind, and also limiting screen time to suitable levels, you can strike a happy medium.

My oldest got their first phones at 13 for starting secondary school, they'd both got FB at 12 accessed only at home on their tablets as only their dad and I had the password,and not because we didn't trust them but because we didn't trust strangers and wanted that safety net,and to just keep an eye on things. We have ongoing chats about cyber bullying, safety, not disclosing details etc and now with this new Momo thing we have sat and spoken to our youngest who although don't have phones, some of their friends do so we want them all to feel comfortable in approaching us if anything ever occurs online or is being shown to them that they either don't understand or scares them.

My daughter doesn't have a mobile phone and won't be getting one until she's in double digits at the very least. She has an android tablet but she mostly watches youtube and plays Roblox, however I've told her she can only add her friends from school no matter how much fun she's having with a random person online. I regularly check her friends list and chat logs and her watch history on youtube and thankfully she does as she's told. Her tablet is hers only so there is no personal details on there as I set it all up and never linked anything to it

It's not something I worry about. With all the correct parental controls in place and by regularly monitoring what my kids are up to online, I am happy to allow my kids to have complete freedom to do what they want in the digital world.

I think it's inevitable in this modern day that children will use mobile devices for education and entertainment purposes and on the whole, it's good to introduce this at a young age so that they are technically aware. However, it is ESSENTIAL that they are monitored by an adult whilst using devices, as there are too many threats such as the latest scare, momo, and possibly things they may see that are inappropriate. I remember when I was little, in our day we used chat rooms where we would talk to our friends & complete strangers online, and my parents were very hesitant about me doing this. Nowadays, with social media this is even more dangerous as children could be very vulnerable, therefore educating them about online safety from an early age is important too.

My 5 and 6 yr old know how to use tablets, but at the moment they only use apps I've downloaded likethe cbeebies app. They do watch some videos on youtube, but I am usually in the room so I can monitor what they are doing. It's nice to see this thread to see what other people do and get tips

I think in this day and age, it's inevitable children will want mobile phones and there are a lot of good perks to them. But I believe restrictions need to be in place to stop them accessing anything they shouldn't, and that their time on them needs to be restricted too. Certainly when they get to secondary school, it's helpful for them to at least have a basic model if they are walking to and from school on their own. I don't think they should be on social media until their teens at the earliest because it becomes addictive. I'd rather my child use a laptop to do homework on aswell as it's easier for me to monitor what they're doing on it as it's not such a small device, but I'm happy for them to play games on a smartphone, but not for them to be on it all day

I don't think children should be given electronic devices without supervised access until they are at 12 or over. The dangers from social media are huge.

I don't think children should have a 'smartphone' with internet or camera facilities until they are at least teenagers. A basic function phone with the ability to phone home or receive calls before this, yes. I don't think too much technology is good for children at all. I don't agree with them having their own TVs laptops, games consoles etc They should be for the family to share and time limited or for studying only.. Just how I was brought up.

Personally I hate It and can't wrap my head round why you would give a primary school child a smartphone. A phone yes. Smartphone no. I'd give a second hand smartphone to a child going in to secondary school but keep regular tabs on what they are accessing. Very sad to hear about this momo stuff going round and child commuting suicide and just enforces my belief young children should not have a smartphone

We have anti virus software, parental controls and have explained to both my sons the dangers and how to stay stay safe, we monitor what they watch and keep an eye on screen time, my sons both use tablets for games and youtube.