At the same time, it is important for parents to respect their child’s privacy online, according to a study commissioned by DNA.
Almost two-thirds of parents of children between the ages of 5 and 12 consider harmful sites and contacts dealing with sex, violence or drugs to be a risk. Mostphotos
Almost half of the parents of children between the ages of 5 and 12 who responded to the school survey completely agree and 33 percent somewhat agree that they have the right and obligation to check the contents of their child’s phone even without the child’s permission, according to a survey commissioned by telecommunications group DNA.
Thus, four out of five parents of a child between the ages of 5 and 12 accept at least to some extent checking the contents of the child’s phone, even without the child’s permission.
According to the Constitution, even children have the right to secrecy of communications and the protection of confidential communications.
Only three percent of respondents were completely against checking the phone with their own permission. Only 22 percent of parents of children aged 13–16 completely agreed with this and 40 percent somewhat agreed.
Most of the parents of children between the ages of 5 and 12 want to know what the child posts on social media and which chat groups the child is a part of and what kind of discussions are held in them.
Data security is crucial
In the press release, the CEO of DNA Kaupa Sami Aavikon the risks are real and the parents’ concern is understandable.
According to Aaviko, the rules for using the phone should be discussed before purchasing the phone.
– One of the most effective solutions is to make the child’s digital environment safer with proactive information security measures, Aavikko says in the announcement.
– By taking care of the information security of the child’s smart device, for example with the help of a separate comprehensive service, there is no need for the parent to break the confidentiality of communications.
Young children use YouTube a lot, for example. Alamy
According to the study, more and more parents of 5-12-year-old children have defined certain applications and websites as prohibited on the child’s smart device.
– This is one of the most used features in families with children in the last four years, as well as tracking the location of the child’s phone, Aavikko says in the release.
Respect for the private
However, for the majority of the parents who answered the survey, it is important to respect the child’s right to privacy online.
According to the study, 80 percent of parents of children aged 13–16 say that they feel it is important. The share has increased by eight percentage points from last year. 65 percent of parents of children between the ages of 5 and 12 consider respecting privacy important, which is six percentage points more than a year ago.
– The situation is certainly not easy for the parents, who on the one hand would like to be worthy of the child’s trust, but on the other hand are struggling with concerns related to the child’s well-being and safety, Aavikko says in the release.
THE FACTS
DNA’s annual survey of schoolchildren examines the factors related to the use and purchase of telephones by school-aged children and adolescents.
Almost all Finnish children over the age of 7 had a phone in 2023. The vast majority of children owned a smartphone. The phone is acquired every year at a younger age. A smartphone is most commonly used for the first time at the age of 6-7.
The study was carried out by Nepa Insight Oy. A total of 1,009 parents or guardians of children between the ages of 5 and 16 participated in it. Data collection was done in February 2023 in Nepa’s online panel.