Net-Defence urges parents to talk privacy with children

Net-Defence has urged parents to make online privacy a routine part of safety talks with children, warning that young people spend more time on gaming, social media and artificial intelligence tools during the school holidays.

The cyber security company tied its message to new public awareness efforts by the Information Commissioner's Office, which has launched a campaign to help parents and carers discuss personal information with children. Research commissioned by the regulator found that almost a quarter of primary school-aged children have shared details such as their real name, address or school online, while one in five parents have never discussed online privacy with their children.

Those figures, Net-Defence said, point to a broader problem in how children understand data collection and the digital services they use every day. It argued that online privacy is becoming a basic part of modern life rather than a narrow technical issue.

"Online privacy is no longer just a technology issue; it's a life skill," said Debra Cairns, Managing Director, Net-Defence. "For years we've taught children about stranger danger, road safety and how to stay safe in the physical world. The reality is that today's children are growing up in highly data-driven digital environments where information is constantly being collected, analysed and shared. Understanding privacy now needs to be as much a part of growing up as learning how to stay safe in the real world."

AI concern

The rise of AI tools has added another layer of risk for families and schools, according to Net-Defence. The company cited research suggesting that about 22% of children have already shared information with AI-powered tools and chatbots, often treating them as trusted sources of advice, entertainment or companionship.

Unlike conventional websites, many AI systems use user interactions to refine their services. As a result, children may reveal personal details, preferences, locations or family information in casual exchanges without recognising the long-term implications.

"Children often see AI tools as helpful assistants rather than technology platforms collecting data. The challenge is that many young users don't distinguish between information required to access a service and information they simply choose to share during use. Whether it's social media, gaming platforms or AI tools, the result is often the same: more personal information being captured and retained," Cairns said.

Data gathering often starts with simple account creation for games, apps and online platforms, Net-Defence said. Children may provide a username or email address first, then face prompts for date of birth, location, interests and permissions covering contacts, photos or device data.

According to the company, younger users are less likely to question why that information is being sought or how it may be used. The issue can become more acute when children bypass age restrictions to access services designed for older users.

In those cases, children may be treated as adults within digital systems, reducing access to age-appropriate privacy protections and increasing exposure to profiling, advertising and wider data-sharing practices, it said.

"Many parents still think about online safety primarily in terms of who their children are talking to. That remains important, but the conversation has shifted. Increasingly, the bigger issue is what information children are giving away and what information is being collected automatically in the background," Cairns said.

Digital footprint

Net-Defence said the risks extend beyond immediate privacy breaches. In the short term, oversharing personal information can increase the likelihood of scams, manipulation, unwanted contact and identity-related fraud.

Over time, years of accumulated data can build detailed digital profiles, the company warned. Those profiles can shape the content children are shown, the products marketed to them and the way algorithms categorise them.

Many children now build a large digital footprint before they understand what personal data is or why it has value, Net-Defence said. It argued that this leaves them vulnerable to habits shaped by convenience rather than informed consent.

"Children will almost always choose convenience over privacy because they're focused on accessing the platform, game or service in front of them. That's why awareness matters: if we don't help them understand the value of their information, someone else will define those behaviours for them," Cairns said.

Everyday talks

Net-Defence said parents do not need specialist cyber security knowledge to respond. Instead, it called for regular conversations about which apps children use, what information they are asked to share, how privacy settings work and why permissions matter.

Smaller, more frequent discussions are likely to be more useful than a single conversation after a problem has emerged, the company said. It also called for wider cooperation between parents, schools, technology providers and policymakers on children's digital awareness.

"Most parents are already trying to do the right thing. This isn't about creating fear; it's about building confidence. The same way we teach children how to cross a road safely, we need to teach them how to navigate digital environments safely. Privacy should become a normal, ongoing conversation rather than something we only think about when something goes wrong," Cairns said.