Microsoft Introduces Cybersecurity eBook for Parents and Caregivers

Today, within the framework of the Safe Internet Day, Microsoft Mexico presented the eBook “How to protect your children and adolescents from online risks? Parents’ guide to cybersecurityan informative material with free access aimed at parents of children and adolescents, in which basic concepts of cybersecurity are explained and best practices are provided to avoid and respond to risk situations.

Minors are one of the groups most exposed to digital threats: in 2021, it was reported that 1 in 4 Internet users in Mexico were between 6 and 17 years old, according to data from the MX Internet Association. In addition, 47% of parents do not use or do not know what a parental control system is, and 23% do not set limits on the time that minors use electronic devices.

As support for parents in the face of a lack of accessible information on habits of digital civility for minors, Microsoft Mexico developed this electronic book with information on possible threats to which children are exposed, recommendations for minors to navigate safely and what to do in case they are victims of an attack.

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“The safe use of digital platforms and social networks in children and adolescents is a responsibility that falls on parents and caregivers, so they must be aware of the activities of minors online and accompany them in the process. It is important that they know the digital hygiene measures to transmit them to their minors and encourage a safer internet “asserted Jimena Mora, Legal Director of Intellectual Property and Digital Security for Latin America for Microsoft.

Digital Civility in Mexico

Likewise, this book contains the local results of the recently presented Digital Civility Index 2021, a study that Microsoft Corp. develops annually to find out the state of digital civility. In this sixth edition, 506 adolescents and adults were surveyed in Mexico, equally divided.

Mexico’s score on the Digital Citizenship Index (DCI) improved from 76% to 68%, considering that the lower the index score, the lower the level of exposure to digital risks.

See more: How to avoid being a victim of spyware on your cell phone

For Gen Z and Millennials, incivility is becoming the “new normal” so 50% are less upset than before when they find someone rude online. On the other hand, online classes are believed to have increased civility, according to 93% of people surveyed. Likewise, 31% of participants commented that they found civility in online classes; 43% in face-to-face education; 57% in social networks (outside the class).

Some recommendations from Microsoft to improve Digital Civility are to act with empathy, respect differences, think consciously before responding, defend victims of abuse and report harmful content, among other measures.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the isolation it caused, children and adolescents have increased the number of hours they spend on the internet to continue their education, socialize and entertain themselves. For this reason, it is important to make parents aware of the main digital hygiene measures so that minors can navigate in a safe environment.

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