#TECH: Ensuring children’s safety online

KUALA LUMPUR: Kaspersky recently hosted an online forum on ways to keep kids safer online.

Kaspersky’s general manager for Southeast Asia, Yeo Siang Tiong, said that as many as 47 percent to 51 percent of Malaysian kids between March and May spent their time online to search for learning materials for their online classes.

“It is a good sign that kids in Malaysia are productively using technology. Our Digital Comfort Zone Report quantified the increase in internet usage because of the pandemic at up to two more hours every day in Southeast Asia.

“Sixty-three percent of parents agreed that their children are using the internet more than they did in the same period as compared to last year. Our study also revealed that parents fear for their children’s online safety, but are not putting time to talk about them. Because of these, we are glad to initiate such conversations today,” said Yeo.

Meanwhile, Pikom’s (the National Tech Association of Malaysia) chief executive officer, Ong Kian Yew said that after several months, both parents and students would seek the right technology tools.

The budget 2021 proposed that the relied on lifestyle expenses such as a computer, smartphone, or tablet, will be increased from RM2,500 to RM3,000.

“We foresee the proposed tax relief will boost the purchases of these smart devices to address any possible shortages to work from home and learn from home. At present, PIKOM members, in general, have already reported positive sales trends throughout the MCO period,” Ong said.

Founding president of The Early Childhood Care and Education Council Malaysia, Datuk Dr Chiam Heng Keng mentioned that younger students are physically active with shorter attention span and that they miss their friends.

Due to the confinement at home with busy parents who are trying to keep the kids interested, this may potentially lead them to frustrations and cause them to be aggressive, intolerant, uncooperative, and bored.

“However, not everything is negative, as there are also many positive aspects of staying and learning at home. Parents can spend time doing things together, exercise together, or just have fun together. Our current situation enhances bonding and offers a perfect time for mothers and fathers to sit down with their kids and discuss things that matter – such as forming online habits to keep them safe,” said Chiam.

Furthermore, Nazrudin Habibur Rahman, a TV host, actor and entrepreneur, and a Kaspersky user, added that home-based learning with his kids is enjoyable but challenging as well.

“I learned from Kaspersky that parents who are completely unfamiliar with video games may be tempted to completely ban their children from playing. However, banning is not the healthiest solution. This is because children may have peers that play games at school and by disallowing them from participating, they may feel like an outcast. So there should be a check and balance in parenting,” he said.

“To achieve this balance, I install safety nets such as Kaspersky Safe Kids. I agree with Chiam, as one of the most effective ways is to be good role models to our kids. For #teamnazrudin, we practice no smartphone during mealtimes and have conversations related to cyber safety, when they are in doubt. We are no experts in this area, but we will learn together,” he added.

Kaspersky also included some tips for parents to not worsen their worries such as spending more time communicating with children on online safety measures and what should not be published online and why.

Moreover, parents should surf and learn online and explore how to keep their children safe and explain sensitive information should only be shared via messengers and acquaintances.

Kaspersky also recommends parents to install cybersecurity software to protect their kids from online threats.

Source: NST