More than half of children between 8 and 12 are subject to online threats


More than half of children between 8 and 12 are subject to online threats



In emerging economies cyber threats are more widespread and risks are 33% higher



   More than half of children between 8 and 12 years of age in the world are subject to online threats when using digital platforms, according to a study published today that lists the habits of 34,000 children in twenty-nine countries.

The report, prepared by the DQ Institute in association with the World Economic Forum, notes that children spend an average of 32 hours per week alone in front of screens for entertainment, more time than at school. The results confirm a positive association between the time spent on a screen and exposure to cyberbullying, addiction to video games, offline encounters and online sexual behaviors.

According to the document, 56% of children between 8 and 12 years old are exposed to at least one Internet-related challenge when using digital platforms. These threats include cyberbullying, gambling addiction, offline meetings and online sexual behaviors that have also been linked to digital identity theft, digital misinformation and reduced empathy. The data indicate that 47% of the children in the sample were victims of cyberbullying last year.

    According to the study, in emerging economies cyber threats are more widespread and risks are 33% higher, largely due to the rapid adoption of mobile technology and digital platforms without children having received the adequate training.

The authors of the report stressed the need for "concrete actions by governments, industry and civil society to help parents combat the threats faced by younger Internet users". In this sense, they considered that the need is "acute" in the case of emerging economies due to the rapid increase in internet penetration in these countries, which will account for 90% of all new users of the network by 2020.

"Young people are an important part of the informed society, they will be the voters of tomorrow and our future leaders, so it should be a priority to ensure that they are better equipped to face the challenges of a hyperconnected life," said the general director of the World Economic Forum, Cheryl Martin.

For the founder and executive director of the DQ Institute, Yuhyun Park, "from an early age children use social networks through mobile phones excessively". "We need to work together to help our children overcome cyber risks and become successful and responsible digital citizens who maximize their potential and minimize these threats," Park said.

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