Using the internet has become natural for today's kids, thanks to the growing digital world. Children as small as 3 to 5 years old are using the internet through home Wi-Fi. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, around 97% of children aged 3 to 18 had home internet access in 2021.
While home internet access might be safe, it creates a habit among children to connect with any available Wi-Fi. Today, public Wi-Fi is everywhere, from coffee shops to airports and public parks. While it offers convenience, it also comes with risks that many people overlook. Children, in particular, may not understand the dangers of connecting to unsecured networks, making them easy targets for cyber threats.
Parents and educators must be aware of these risks and teach kids to use public Wi-Fi safely. This article discusses how parents and educators can do so.
How Free Wi-Fi Puts Kids at Risk
When children connect to an open Wi-Fi network, they may unknowingly expose personal information to cybercriminals. Hackers can use techniques like man-in-the-middle attacks to intercept data being transmitted between a device and the internet. This means passwords, messages, and even sensitive account details can be stolen without the user realizing it.
Fake hotspots that appear to be legitimate networks can also trick children into connecting, giving hackers direct access to their devices. The number of cybercriminals attacking children because of their lack of knowledge has increased. Data shows that almost 70% of children and adolescents worldwide were exposed to cyberattacks in 2023.
Educating children about the risks of free Wi-Fi is essential because they often use their devices in public places without considering security. They might log in to social media accounts, check emails, or even make online purchases, which could expose their data to cybercriminals. Without proper guidance, they may not recognize warning signs such as unsecured network alerts or suspicious login requests.
Steps to Keep Kids Safe Online
Protecting children from the risks of public Wi-Fi requires a mix of awareness and practical strategies. By following a few key steps, parents and educators can help kids develop safe online habits.
Spreading Awareness Among Parents
Before educating kids, parents must learn the risks of cyberattacks and how to identify and stop them. This is essential because if they are not aware, they won't be able to educate their children. They can connect online or rent a meeting room to meet and spread cybersecurity awareness.
This is even more important in places with more access to free Wi-Fi. For instance, New York has 57,528 cafes and restaurants, taking up 6% of the market share. Moreover, Yahoo! states that it has nearly 40% of all Tim Hortons cafes in the country. Cafes and restaurants have led to most instances of personal information compromises through public Wi-Fi. Therefore, parents in neighborhoods of New York should take more steps to raise awareness.
For example, Soho Manhattan is said to be the perfect place for luxury shoppers and coffee lovers. In such places, cyberattackers wait to find opportunities to steal the personal information of those who connect to free Wi-Fi at stores or cafes. Parents can collectively book Soho meeting rooms to hold conferences for youngsters. They can also hire a cybersecurity expert to educate them about the risks of free Wi-Fi and how to protect children.
As The Farm Soho notes, these meeting rooms are equipped with everything you need to facilitate seamless discussion about cybersecurity. You can find the proper seating arrangements, access to secure internet, whiteboards, TVs, and more. You can also opt for catering and beverages set up to make it a social event so parents can stay connected and share knowledge.
Encourage the Use of Secure Networks
Children should connect to secure Wi-Fi networks whenever possible instead of open public ones. Schools, libraries, and homes typically offer encrypted networks for safer browsing. Kids outside these environments should avoid connecting to unfamiliar Wi-Fi hotspots, especially those without password protection.
If they must use public Wi-Fi, they should be aware of the potential risks and take extra precautions. There are some ways to stay protected while using open Wi-Fi. Firstly, teach your children to always verify the Wi-Fi they are connecting to. For instance, if they are connecting to a cafe's network, they should verify the name of the official open network.
Next, they should avoid sharing sensitive information while connected to open networks. Using public Wi-Fi to browse the internet is still safe. However, they should not log in to their social media profiles or make online purchases. These activities can share sensitive information like passwords or card details, which cyberattackers can use.
Use a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
A VPN is one of the most effective tools for protecting online activity on public networks. It encrypts internet traffic, making it much harder for hackers to steal personal information. Parents can install VPN software on their children's devices and teach them how to activate it whenever they connect to public Wi-Fi.
Many VPN services are user-friendly and work in the background without disrupting browsing activities. According to Statista, the primary reason for VPN use is privacy, as it masks your IP address and other details. The global VPN market was valued at $45 billion in 2022. India had the largest share of the VPN market in 2022, worth nearly $17 billion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can hackers track a child's location through public Wi-Fi?
Yes, hackers can potentially track a child's location if their device is connected to public Wi-Fi. Some cybercriminals use network monitoring tools to see which devices are connected and can even gather location data. Teaching kids to disable location services when not needed and to avoid using unsecured networks can help reduce this risk.
Are certain types of public Wi-Fi networks safer than others?
Some public Wi-Fi networks, like those in schools or libraries, may have better security measures than open networks in coffee shops or malls. However, no public Wi-Fi is 100% secure. Even networks that require passwords can still be vulnerable to cyber threats, especially if many people have access to them.
Can kids be exposed to inappropriate content on public Wi-Fi?
Yes, public Wi-Fi does not always have content filters in place, meaning children could accidentally access inappropriate websites. Some hackers also set up fake networks that redirect users to harmful or explicit content. Parents can install parental control software or use child-safe browsers to limit exposure to such risks.
By following these steps, children can reduce their risk of cyber threats while using the internet in public places. Teaching them to be cautious and proactive will help them develop safer online habits that will protect them well into the future. However, you must first become aware of these challenges and find the right solutions to help your children.