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What is disclosing information about?

Nowadays almost our entire life rests on the Internet. If we get hacked the hacker will find our credit card passwords, will have access to our social media profiles, our e-mail accounts or to our browsing history.

Due to this over exposition, we must take care of our data and avoid the disclosure. Nevertheless, even if we are committed to a responsible use of the internet, we must ensure that minors are as committed as we are, because they use the family devices and their own devices as well.

A wide range of crimes involves the data removal, or the data leakage and teenagers and children are one of the most likely collectives to share their data, because of two main reasons:

  1. The digital natives spend more time connected.
  2. They do not have a feeling of danger when browsing.

Several techniques can be used to secretly data leak from a digital device. Sometimes the perpetrators hide their intentions by looking as something different than they are. For instance, in the ads, requiring  information to visualize the content or asking the passwords to enjoy an online service. But, more often minors share their data because they are not aware of the danger, so a more responsible way of acting on the internet is vitally needed.

Definition

Disclosing information

Disclosing means to expose, unintentionally, private information that should not be revealed to other people. It can happen via hacking or because the source does not realize the importance of keeping private data private. 

We can say there is disclosure when someone gives his/herpersonal information or places it in a position where they are able to find it out by people who might use it in a harmful way, risking their privacy or security.

This problem has increased profusely due to the improvement and sophistication of the hacking: malware, spyware are only some of the well-known issues. But, as we said above, one of the main problems is that people are willing to share so much information about them. It constitutes a growing problem due to smartphone applications, which ask us access to information such as location, contacts, etc. in order to enjoy their services. This is a change of paradigm that Internet has brought with. On TV they show you content in exchange of your attention. On the Internet they will give you access to applications and services in exchange to your data. 

This would not constitute a problem itself if the data revealed were not sensitive. But, does a child know whether the information exposed is sensitive and potentially risky or not? Even adults sometimes cannot tell this difference. In order to discover if the minors are leaking information, you as parents should ask the minors some questions:

  • Which sites do you enter?
  • Which applications do you download?
  • Has someone asked you to share any personal data to enjoy a service, such as email address or credit card number?

Example

Paul wants to download an application on his smartphone to talk to his friends. Although the app is free, he is required to fill a form that includes the credit card and thecard verification value.

If the apps or the online services ask any information for the proper function of itself which they do not use to ask you to share, or if someone is asking unusual private information, such us your home address, it should be likely to think there would be a risk of disclosing sensitive information.

Sometimes data leakage occurs through the use of a Trojan horse virus. If you have any suspicion of a software, you should never download it. You can suspect of softwares that let you whatch movies or shows in streaming for free, aswell as gaming websites and applications. The best way of acting is to download every service after it has been checked by your parents.

In order to prevent this disclosing, there are some strategies that you as a parent can deploy:

  • Tell the minor to not give any personal data without permission
  • If your child uses the same device as you: Do not ever keep the passwords or the pin codes on the browser
  • Install parental control softwares such as Qustodio, Secure Kids or Parental Click
  • Speak to the minors about not to post any photo that let strangers know the exactly address where he/she lives or the school where he/she studies.
  • The best prevention tactic is to speak frequently with the minors about the risks of disclosing information and about the importance of a responsible use of the Internet.
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