Abu Dhabi: The Cybersecurity Council has issued a crucial warning about the risks children face when sharing personal information and geographic locations online.
The council stresses that this exposes them to various cyber and security threats, including identity theft, tracking, and predatory behaviour.
The council highlighted that public social media accounts make it easier for strangers to access sensitive details, potentially leading to dangers such as manipulation, cyberbullying, and stalking.
Public social media accounts According to statistics from cybersecurity firm Kaspersky, over 39% of parents and 33% of children in the UAE maintain public social media accounts, unknowingly putting themselves at risk by sharing personal details like their location, school names, and hobbies. In an ongoing digital awareness campaign through its official account on “X”, the council stressed that while sharing online may seem harmless, it can expose children to serious threats. These threats range from tracking and identity theft to security risks at home.
Parents’ role
The council urged parents to protect their family’s privacy by taking simple precautions, such as disabling location sharing, restricting app permissions, and carefully considering what personal details they post. The message was clear: oversharing online compromises privacy and puts children at risk.
The council also warned that cybercriminals could exploit publicly shared information to track individuals, steal identities, or target homes. It recommended that families adjust privacy settings, limit app access, turn off location sharing, and review shared content regularly to minimise potential risks.
Online predators
In addition to the concerns about oversharing, the Cybersecurity Council also addressed the dangers posed by online predators. Recent studies show that 32% of children in the UAE have received messages from strangers online. Public social media accounts increase the chances of children encountering stalkers or potential exploiters, as strangers can easily collect personal information once it’s shared publicly.
The council emphasised the importance of setting social media accounts to private to protect children’s privacy, while keeping sensitive details like school names and locations hidden. By safeguarding personal information and staying vigilant, parents can significantly reduce the risks children face on social media.
App permissions
It also cautioned that app permissions often grant access to sensitive features, such as a child’s location, camera, or microphone. Parents should regularly review app permissions, disable unnecessary access, and educate children about the importance of privacy to ensure their information stays secure.
Hacking risks
The council also warned about the rising threat of child predation crimes online, pointing out that seemingly innocent chats can quickly become a dangerous trap when a predator assumes a fake identity to lure children.
“A single moment of negligence can expose your child to significant risks,” the council stressed. It urged parents to educate their children about online safety, help them recognise warning signs of cybercriminals, and ensure they stay informed about the potential dangers they may encounter on the internet.
Baby monitors
The council also issued a warning about the cybersecurity risks posed by baby monitors, which, if not properly secured, can be vulnerable to hacking. Weak passwords, outdated software, and unencrypted connections make these devices prime targets for cybercriminals who could spy on children or even communicate with them directly. Citing a sharp increase in baby monitor hacks, the council urged parents to take immediate action to safeguard their families.
Precautions
Use strong, unique passwords for baby monitors
Encrypt Wi-Fi networks to secure video streams
Regularly update baby monitor software
Turn off baby monitors when not in use
