A guide to smart purchases
By Finnian Cox
Irish online safety charity CyberSafeKids has launched a guide to help parents make safer decisions when buying smart devices for children.
The charity said ownership of smart devices is already widespread amongst children aged 8-12, with many parents considering them as Christmas gifts.
As a result, CyberSafeKids have chosen to launch their inaugural Christmas campaign by releasing a gift guide to educate and inform parent of the benefits and risks involved.
Research conducted by the charity found more than 49% of children aged 8-12 own smartphones, while more than 57% of the same demographic have tablets or gaming consoles.
Due to the increasingly wide range of options, the statement said that many parents and guardians are finding it difficult to determine which gadgets are safe and suitable.
The guide will help parents by outlining the risks, but also benefits of popular smart devices and toys, as well as practical tips on how to make these devices safer.
Additionally, it will have age recommendations for products, to guide choices, and links to manufacturer websites for further details.
CEO of CyberSafeKids, Alex Cooney, said smart devices are a huge part of children’s lives, and that the charity wants to “help parents feel more confident and informed about parenting their children online”.
She said: “We know that many parents feel overwhelmed by the prospect of navigating parental controls and talking to their kids about online safety, so our guide is designed to demystify some of these issues. It’s about keeping the fun element of these gifts whilst also reducing the risk.”
Derek Chambers, Policy Lead, National Mental Health, HSE also commented on the guide, describing the impact unsafe use of smart devices can have on children.
He said: “With children increasingly connected to the digital world, the risks associated with smart devices – such as exposure to inappropriate content, online bullying, or data privacy concerns are prevalent.”
“CyberSafeKids' research emphasises the importance of parental involvement in guiding children's use of smart devices. This guide is a welcome resource for any parent looking to make safer choices,” he said.
Founded in 2015, CyberSafeKids works with both primary and secondary schools to help children, teachers, and parents stay safe online.
The free guide can be downloaded from CyberSafeKids.ie.