Summer Break Raises Digital Risks for Children: 10 Safety Steps

Ahmet Taş | Express Webdesign24

BERLIN, GERMANY — Increased gaming, social media and smart device use during summer break may expose children and teenagers to phishing, malware, account theft, privacy violations and cyberbullying.

Cybersecurity company ESET has outlined practical measures families can take to reduce these risks. The company emphasised that smartphones should be treated as computers because they may contain private messages, photographs, saved passwords, location data and access to financial services.

Giving a child a parent’s personal phone, tablet or computer without first applying appropriate security controls may put both the child and the device owner at risk. A malicious application or stolen password could provide attackers with access to personal accounts, stored information and payment details.

More screen time can increase exposure to online threats

With schools closed for the summer, children and teenagers may spend more time playing online games, watching videos, using social media and communicating through messaging applications.

Longer periods online may also increase the likelihood of visiting an unreliable website, opening a message from an unknown sender or downloading a game from an unofficial source.

Cybercriminals often use offers designed to attract younger users. These may include promises of free games, in-game currency, character skins, gift codes, additional levels or unpaid access to normally paid content.

Such offers may lead users to fake login pages or downloads containing malicious software. Younger users may find it difficult to recognise whether a promotion, message or website is genuine.

ESET recommends that parents know which games and applications their children use, where the programs were downloaded from and who their children communicate with online. Games and applications should be obtained from recognised official stores whenever possible.

Fake games and phishing messages target young users

Viruses, Trojan horses, worms and other forms of malware remain among the most common threats children may encounter online.

Malicious programs can be distributed through fake gaming websites, third-party download platforms, online forums, social media posts and messaging applications. They may also be disguised as free versions of popular games.

Once installed, malware may steal passwords, access files, monitor activity or allow an attacker to control parts of the device remotely.

Some suspicious applications also request permissions that are unrelated to their stated purpose. A simple game, for example, may seek access to the camera, microphone, contacts, photographs or precise location.

Parents should review the developer’s name, user feedback and requested permissions before allowing an application to be installed. Files from unknown sources and pirated versions of games should be avoided.

Phishing attacks may arrive through email, text messages, social media or in-game communication. A message may falsely claim that an account is about to be closed, a prize has been won or an urgent identity check is required.

The accompanying link may open a fraudulent page designed to collect usernames, passwords or other personal information. Children should be taught not to open unexpected links and to confirm the sender’s identity through another communication channel.

Smartphones require the same protection as computers

Smartphones are not merely devices for games and videos. They may contain email accounts, photographs, private conversations, saved passwords, social media profiles, location histories and banking applications.

For this reason, the same basic security measures used on computers should also be applied to mobile devices.

Operating systems, applications and security software should be updated regularly. Updates often fix vulnerabilities that criminals could otherwise exploit.

Automatic updates can help ensure that important security patches are installed without delay. Applications that are no longer used should be removed because outdated programs may continue to create security risks.

Parents should also activate a screen lock and, where available, enable features that allow a lost device to be located, locked or erased remotely.

When a personal device is temporarily given to a child, parents should consider using a restricted profile or separate user account. Sensitive applications and stored payment methods should not remain openly accessible.

Children need clear guidance about privacy

Children may be highly skilled at using social media while still lacking the experience needed to understand which information should remain private.

Phone numbers, home addresses, school details, passwords, identity documents and real-time location information should not be posted or sent to other users.

Holiday plans can also reveal that a family is away from home. Photographs may contain location details, school uniforms, house numbers or other information that identifies where a child lives or studies.

Children should be reminded that content posted online may not disappear completely, even after it has been deleted. Another person may already have saved the image, recorded the video or taken a screenshot.

Before publishing anything, children can be encouraged to consider who will see it, whether it reveals private information and whether they would still feel comfortable with the content being available in the future.

Social media privacy settings should be reviewed regularly. Accounts used by younger children should not be publicly accessible, and friend or follower requests from unknown people should not be accepted.

Strong passwords and two-factor authentication protect accounts

Weak or reused passwords make it easier for attackers to access online accounts. Names, birthdays, favourite teams and simple combinations such as “123456” should not be used.

Children should be taught to create long, unique passwords for every account. Passwords should not be shared with friends or sent through messaging applications.

A password manager may help families create and store unique passwords securely without requiring children to memorise every combination.

Two-factor authentication should also be activated wherever it is available. This adds a second verification step after the password is entered.

Even if an attacker obtains the password, access may still be blocked without the additional verification code, authentication application or security key.

Children should understand that verification codes are private. A criminal may pretend to be a friend, employee or support representative and ask the user to reveal a code.

The internal security infographic may be placed below this section.

Application permissions should be checked regularly

Applications may request access to the camera, microphone, contacts, photographs, location and other sensitive information.

Parents should periodically review the permissions granted to each application and remove any access that is unnecessary for the application’s main function.

A weather application may need approximate location information, but a basic puzzle game should not usually require constant access to the microphone or contact list.

Children should also be encouraged to ask an adult before granting new permissions or installing an unfamiliar application.

Security software should be kept active and updated. However, technical tools alone cannot eliminate every risk. Safe behaviour, careful decision-making and open communication remain necessary.

Parents should remain involved in children’s digital lives

ESET recommends that parents become familiar with the platforms, games and applications their children use instead of remaining outside their digital world.

Age-appropriate involvement may help parents notice suspicious contacts, harmful content or changes in a child’s online behaviour.

Browser history and device activity can provide information about digital habits, but monitoring should be discussed openly whenever possible. Secret surveillance may damage trust and discourage children from reporting a problem.

If browser history is repeatedly deleted or a child suddenly becomes anxious about device use, parents should begin a calm and non-judgmental conversation rather than immediately imposing punishment.

Families should also discuss cyberbullying. Children may experience threats, insults, exclusion or humiliation online. They may also unintentionally participate in behaviour that harms another child.

Children should know that they can report an uncomfortable message, suspicious request or online mistake without automatically being punished. Fear of losing access to a device may otherwise cause them to hide a serious incident.

Parents can reduce summer holiday risks by combining strong passwords, two-factor authentication, official application stores, updated software, reviewed permissions, privacy settings and regular conversations about online behaviour.

The objective is not to remove children completely from digital environments, but to help them recognise risks, protect their personal information and seek assistance when something goes wrong.

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