Nearly half of teenagers in Middle East, Turkey, and Africa hide online activities from parents

A recent survey conducted by cybersecurity firm Kaspersky has revealed that approximately 48% of children aged 11 to 17 in the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa (META) region deliberately hide their online activities from parents and other adults.​

The study, which involved online interviews with 1,016 pairs of parents and children, revealed various methods employed by youngsters to maintain digital privacy.

Specifically, 28% of respondents reported setting passwords on all their devices, 20% admitted clearing their browsing history after each internet session, and 16% preferred going online when their parents were not around.​

Among those who conceal their online behavior, a significant 57% do so to prevent parents from knowing the amount of time they spend on the internet, while 37% aim to hide the specific websites they visit.

Alarmingly, 25% acknowledged hiding visits to websites with aggressive or adult content, and 33% admitted to watching content intended for adults.​

Seifallah Jedidi, Head of Consumer Channel in the Middle East, Turkey, and Africa at Kaspersky, emphasized the importance of open communication between parents and children regarding digital activities.

He stated, “It is more important to build and maintain close relationships with children. Regularly discussing their digital lives is important. Creating a communication strategy that allows them to reach out when they have concerns is also crucial.”​

Jedidi also highlighted that implementing parental controls is not indicative of distrust but rather a sensible precaution.

He explained that such measures can protect devices and data, control access to certain websites and games, and prevent the disclosure of confidential information.​Kaspersky

The survey underscores the need for parents to stay informed about the latest online threats and to foster an environment where children feel comfortable discussing their digital experiences.

By doing so, families can work together to create a safer online environment for young users.