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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Our DD is too young for a mobile device. She can have one at 13 or 14 depending on how mature we think she is at the time.

It is fine as long as it is monitored...

I think smart phones and personal tablets should be banned from all schools to the end of sixth form. This would ease peer pressure about having a phone (especially expensive makes and models), reduce exposure to social media, reduce screen time and also the pressure on parents to provide phones to their children.

I think if they're supervised and limited then it's fine

I think initially it's quite scary how much kids have access to today that I never had when a child, but this is the world we live in and to stop a child using technology is to be one step behind their peers. Instead I think the focus should be on understanding how to use technology safely and educating children about the risks. It's like stranger danger education for the 21st century.

Call me "old fashioned" I personally don't allow my children to access the internet without supervision and I certainly wouldn't allow them a smart phone with access to the internet

wait until they are 16 - what they have never had they will not miss

My children are to young but I probably would install an app

Not a fan of it! I make sure to monitor them

I think it’s inev but very sad - the kids in our house are older so have mobiles but I have but set restrictions on and do still worry !

My older two daughters (12 and 10) both have tablets but just the eldest has a phone.

They play games on them and my 10 year old loves watching YouTube videos which we monitor.

I think children need to start learning about e-safety from primary school age right through secondary school so they are kept up to date with changing technologies and things that they could be vulnerable to. Parents also need to be educated about this to inform their children and make the right choices for them.

Our kids have cheap tablets with family settings on. If they want to look something up and are blocked, they have to ask to go on one of our devices.

Eldest knows how to get YouTube on TV though....

Eldest will get a phone when she starts secondary school. Until recently we were planning on this being a brick which just texts and calls but the internet safety guys who gave a talk at the school recently said this would affect socialising too much.

I think it can be good and educational but needs restricting in terms of time on it

depends on chil my son has had mobile since he was 9 but hes not allowed facebook and only has close family on messenger

When do you think children should have access to mobile tech like smartphones and tablets? I am a mum to a 5 an 6 year old. I allow them to use the lap tap to complete homework in my presence. They play certain games occasionally which have been vetted by me or my husband.
Do your children have their own devices, or do they use yours? My son has his own lap top which he only uses when we are around and they use our devices.
If your children are using smartphones or tablets what do they use them for? play games and you tube and homework.
Have you spoken to your children about internet security measures?no
Have you downloaded antivirus software on to your devices? yes

I'm not comfortable with it, and am dreading the day mine want mobiles. I already have no tablets upstairs rules but would feel better with more tailored parental controls on devices and my main worry when they're older is not being able to control what they see/ social media interactions in the playground and friends houses. I guess the way to go is educating them on internet safety.

It is fine in moderation

I find the world of mobiles and Internet safety really scary, and I honestly don't know how to keep my son safe. I think children have access to electronic devices way to young

It’s a necessary evil I think, this is the way th world is now and you have to move with the times but the way I work it, is a chores chart with various points available for various chores, with each point being worth a minute on devices. Also no school nights in our house

It's such a nerve wracking thing to let them have their own mobiles. I am genuinely scared about it but unfortunately in this day and age they will need one eventually. We have discussed that they can have their own mobile when they start secondary school.
They do have tablets though and I think they can be a fantastic tool for learning and also fun. I am a little bit wary about them downloading apps to their tablets though as I have heard loads of scare stories so I have ensured that they are not able to download anything without me doing it for them.

My DD got her first tablet for Christmas aged 10. I'm glad I didn't let her have it before, we've had to be really strict with her otherwise she'd spend hours on it. She'll get a phone for her birthday in time for secondary school. I feel really uncomfortable with children having access to technology but that's the reality of the world they're growing up in.

My kids have Kindle Fires which I like for all the settings that limit time on apps, video etc, and the way they offer them appropriate content. That does possibly mean that I don't pay enough attention to exactly what they're accessing (although the endless Peppa Pig music tends to give it away).

At the moment it's easy enough to limit their screen time, mainly because life is busy. I'm not looking forward to them getting older and wanting phones, because then I'll be less in control of what they can access and when, and I'm aware that the way teenagers use social media etc is so different to the way I do and I'm not sure I'll be able to keep up and know best how to help them keep safe.

My children are 8 and 6 and neither have a smartphone but both of them have access to a shared ipad that everyone uses and they occasionally do things on my phone but that tends to be more games and its very unusual. We talk a lot about safety and the games they play don't have a messaging facility in them to access other users. They did ask me for a game which when I looked at reviews I turned down their request because I didn;t consider it appropriate as it contained a message function. I supervise their use and I tend to be in the room and I have encouraged them to show and share what they are doing and playing regularly with me.
Several of my boys friends have phones and I personally think its too early to have them. Phones in my opinion are for remaining in contact and I don't see why I 6 year old would need that. However they do need to know how to use one and both my boys know how to make an emergency call, how to call a relative and how to find their number on my phone to do so.

I have 3 children. My youngest is way too young for a mobile... she's 4. My middle child is 8... he has no reason to have a mobile with nobody to call, as he's either at school or with us! My eldest Son is 12 and he has an old iPhone (5s)... to be honest, it's a god send sometimes. I sit at work worried about him walking home from school when local troubles occur. It is great to be able to call or text him and know he is safe. It's also great to know that he could call me if he faced any problems walking home. Can't deny that he does play games and use social media, but he knows I check his phone regularly and most of it is childish chat anyway. He's aware of stranger danger, in person and online. I think the ideal time for a child to have a phone is when they start high school :)

We are pretty technologically literate family but have got it badly wrong in the past so for the youngest, now 14, we are still quite strict. He only has a basic mobile with no internet access. He has a tablet and a computer but the computer is not (yet) in his bedroom but downstairs in a room with an open door and he has to leave his tablet downstairs at bedtime. It is easier as his older siblings are at university/working so there is no reason he needs to work upstairs although I realise this won't wash much longer.