ISLAMABAD: Parents should be aware of cyber security trends as 91 per cent of children, aged 3-15, play games on devices that are usually connected to the internet, and children can be approached through them by using artificial intelligence (AI), said Usman Qureshi, the country representative in Pakistan for Kaspersky, in a statement.

“As we can see, many of the trends that are playing out in society are also affecting children, making them potential targets for attackers. This includes both the development and popularity of AI and smart homes, as well as the expansion of the world of gaming and the Fintech industry. Therefore, it is crucial to teach children the basics of cyber security from an early age: how not to fall into the trap of cybercriminals, what cyber threats can occur during gaming, and how to properly protect your personal data. All this is now a must-have knowledge not only for adults but also for the youngest users,” said Usman Qureshi.

According to UN research, he said, about 80 per cent of young people claimed they interact with AI multiple times a day.

“With the development of AI, numerous little-known applications have emerged with seemingly harmless features.

Kaspersky representative says fintech industry ‘marks appearance of new threats’ for kids

“However, AI apps, specifically chatbots, can easily provide age-inappropriate content when prompted,” he added.

It is worth mentioning that, according to the latest online statistics, 91 per cent of children play games on any device.

“With more young people online, criminals can virtually build trust in the same way they would in person. Firstly, cybercriminals gain the trust of young players by luring them with gifts. Once they have the confidence of a young gamer, they then obtain their personal information by suggesting that they click on a link.”

The development of the fintech industry for kids also marks the appearance of new threats.

An increasing number of banks are providing specialised products and services tailored for children, including banking cards designed for kids as young as 12, he said, adding: “Yet, with the introduction of banking cards for children, the latter also become susceptible to financially motivated threat actors and vulnerable to conventional scams. Using social engineering techniques, cybercriminals might exploit children’s trust by posing as peers and requesting the sharing of card details or money transfers to their accounts.”

According to Kaspersky, the number of smart home threat cases with children being potential targets, will increase. Despite the increasing number of cases of threats to smart home devices, manufacturers are not rushing to create cyber-immune technology.

As children mature, they develop greater self-awareness, encompassing an understanding of their personal space, privacy, and sensitive data, both offline and in their online activities.

“This is why parents now require the skill to discuss their offspring’s online experience and the importance of parenting digital apps for online safety while respecting personal space,” it added.

Published in Dawn, January 21st, 2024