ExpressVPN’s survey shows the dangers children face on social media

If TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook were physical places, most parents are They did not allow their children to visit them alone. However, despite the fact that most social media platforms require their users to be over the age of 13 (due to laws that prevent companies from collecting data from children), we find kids as young as four frequenting social media on a daily basis.

To better understand the consumption habits and risks of social networks in children, ExpressVPNVPN provider, He conducted a study with more than 2,000 children (ages four to thirteen), from the United States and the United Kingdom with access to the Internet, as well as their parents or guardians. The study shows us how often children are on social networks, the risks they face and the attitudes of their parents.

According to the study, 29% of parents in the United States and 21% in the United Kingdom allow their children under the age of thirteen to create accounts on social networks. However, A.J 63% of US children and 53% of British children surveyed admit to using social media, an average of 28 minutes per day. It is not surprising that older children get to spend more time on social media. Thus, thirteen-year-olds reach 45 minutes on average.

But, are parents aware of what their kids are doing online? Most of them supervise their children’s activity on a regular basis, and even A.J 54% admit to doing this daily or more than once a day. In terms of the content they allow them to see, the presence of video platforms such as YouTube or Netflix stands out. More than 28% also allow their children to participate in online games.

Only a small percentage of children allow access to social networks, so we can assume that many of them do so without their parents being aware of it.

Parenting is full of worries, but in the age of social media, moms and dads face a new challenge. According to survey data, The main danger that parents fear is that their children will be bullied (59% consider it the main risk). Second, concerns about their children being manipulated by an online predator, followed by concerns that their children may encounter offensive content online and risks of cyberbullying by strangers.

However, the fears of children are far from the fears of their parents. The biggest annoyance for the children surveyed is meeting a rude person Or swear online (34%), while the next in the list is watching scary videos, followed by scary pictures. Confirming the fears of parents, 22% of children admitted that they had been bullied online.

Most social networks do not allow access to children under the age of thirteen, so we find the first lie. 24% of those surveyed admitted that they lied about their age on social media. Similarly, one in six children said they lied about their address or location on social media, what they did when asked, and their appearance.

Some of these lies that children tell are related to the need to protect themselves from strangers. Similarly, it can also be assumed that they are trying to adhere to unrealistic social norms or pressures that social media places on them. if so, This practice would be harmful to minorswhich may worsen your mental health.

The use of social networks among children is expected to increase as more young people have access to the Internet. That’s why the need to teach kids about social media safety has never been more important.

After the pandemic, the use of the Internet in the educational environment has grown, to the point where schools are encouraging its use. Now that children are spending more time than ever in front of screens, it is imperative that we improve our control over their actions. Therefore, Express VPN has put together five steps to follow:

• Install parental controls: By using this tool, parents will be able to control the time their children spend in front of the screen, as well as control the risks they are exposed to. Blocking content that is not appropriate for your age or setting a time limit for usage are some of the opportunities that open up with this tool.
• Encourage open communication: It is essential that children feel comfortable talking to their parents. Fostering honesty is key for children to trust and share the content they see on the web.
• Remember not to befriend strangers you meet online: It is important to remember the dangers that can be found in social networks. Be warned that people can create fake profiles and pretend to be children. In the same way, they must not reveal information regarding the center they study in or their friends, and of course not send pictures to strangers.
• Username Security Monitor: We must be very careful about the information our username discloses. Predators can use usernames to track children, so it’s a good idea to use creative ones.
• Use a VPN: A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, redirects your Internet traffic through a secure tunnel. This means that by downloading a VPN, you will not only keep your family members safe when online by encrypting all data, but you will also increase your anonymity by giving your devices a new IP address elsewhere.