A recent survey has shown that 89% of parents rely on gadgets to keep their children occupied while traveling or to grab some personal time.
According to a press release on Thursday from Kaspersky, a global cybersecurity and digital privacy company, 53% of children in the Middle East, Turkiye, and Africa (META) region receive their first smartphone or tablet between the ages of three and seven.
However, 22% of parents admitted they haven’t discussed internet safety with their children. This raises concerns, as many kids are left unsupervised with their devices and may be unaware of safe online behavior.
The survey also revealed that 78% of children said they cannot live without their gadgets, with smartphones, tablets, and game consoles being their top choices.
Seifallah Jedidi, Head of Consumer Channel at Kaspersky (META), emphasized that while gadgets help parents entertain and calm their kids, uncontrolled use poses risks. “Parents should monitor their child’s digital life by limiting screen time and engaging in conversations,” he advised.
Jedidi highlighted the importance of parental controls, noting it’s not about distrust but ensuring safety. Such measures can:
He added that Kaspersky’s technologies safeguard children and family data from cyber criminals and potential online threats.