The expert named ways to prepare children for a safe online life

The digital environment has become a natural space for modern children, but it requires special training and protection. Sergey Mikhailov, head of smart device products and functions for children at Yandex, told Izvestia on June 1 about how to make a child's Internet experience safe.

He noted: according to the Higher School of Economics, in 2023, 30% of children aged three to six had their own smartphone, and among teenagers aged 12-14, this figure reaches 90%.

"Smart speakers and search engines help children learn more about the real world and act as guides to a virtual environment for them. However, in the absence of knowledge about the rules of online behavior and the necessary protection, the Internet can turn into dangerous territory," the expert warned.

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Mikhailov highlighted inappropriate content, fraud, account hacking, and contacts with strangers among the main threats. To protect children, it is necessary to combine technical solutions and educational measures.

"Many services have built—in child modes - they allow you to protect children from encountering content that is not suitable for their age. This helps protect the child from accidental access to unwanted websites."

The expert recommends using parental control programs that allow you to adjust screen time, restrict access to certain applications, and monitor your child's online activities. Special attention should be paid to setting up smart devices: you can set the time frame for their use and select the available functions depending on the time of day.

However, technology is only part of the solution. It is extremely important to develop digital literacy in the family, Mikhailov emphasized. Children should know the basic rules: do not trust strangers, protect personal data, and critically evaluate information.

It is better to use game formats for learning: interactive courses for younger students and quests with real cases for teenagers. Such approaches, according to the expert, help to turn safety rules into a natural habit.

On February 11, Svetlana Mikhailova, a specialist in socially significant projects called Where Are My Children, told Izvestia about how to protect children from online harassment. She noted that it is important to talk to the child and explain to him that it is normal to turn to an adult in such a situation.