A guest post by Kim Shaurd.
The papers and news headlines seem to brimming at the moment with spine-chilling tales of how our children are open to all kinds of physical and mental threats when surfing the net. Then there has been the continued issue that, as a nation, we are quite oblivious to the fact that a few simple clicks here and there in the midst of procrastination can fast become a security risk. So when the following email from 12 year old Joe Smith landed in our inbox reviewing our internet security software Norton 360, we were pleasantly surprised to read that someone so young is interested and aware of basic internet security. The email reads: “I am 12 years of age and have used other security like Mcafee e.t.c and have purchased Norton 360. This is by far the best. I would appreciate it if you would take time to look at the presentation document I have sent you.” Norton 360 stops online threats before they can infect a computer, which Joe rates as “by far the best” and “excellent” in his PowerPoint presentation – which he kindly put in Norton colours!
Joe’s email came as a breath of fresh air to us here on the Norton team, showing that despite the bad press of late, internet security measures are indeed being taken seriously in the home, even by the younger members of the family. In our recent Norton Online Family Report, we found that 48% of children believe they are more careful online than their parents, evidence which suggests that our children are aware of the risks and precautions to take when online. According to the EU’s Kids Online Survey, the average age of a UK child to first use the internet is 8 years old, which is younger than any other EU country. This is something which should be celebrated, indicating a future where our children are not only becoming more computer savvy, but also doing so more safely.