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53% of parents are afraid that children and teenagers will be contacted by strangers online, 47% fear cyberbullying, 42% are worried about the possible use of social media, while 38% are worried about what the little ones might find out on the Internet. This was revealed by a survey commissioned at the beginning of 2024 by Apple on a sample of 1,001 Italian parents of children and young people of school age (from 7 to 16 years).
38% of parents involved in the research said they were informed about the tools and features available on technological devices for the online safety and protection of their children, but declared they had not implemented them. 41% of parents who have not implemented any protection on their children’s devices say they have not done so because either they are not aware of it, or they do not consider it necessary, or they do not know how to do it or they do not have the time to do it. On the other hand, 29% say they trust their children to behave correctly online.
Cos’è Today at Apple
Apple releases the results on Safer Internet Day, which occurs on February 6. “Our goal at Apple is to create technology that empowers people to do what they want and enrich their lives, while helping them stay safe online. We are proud to support Safer Internet Day, and to be able to welcome thousands of people to our Apple Stores to help them make the most of the security features on their family’s devices” says Erik Neuenschwander, Apple’s director of User Privacy.
The reference is to the Today at Apple program, with free sessions in Apple Stores: as part of the program, Apple organizes the “Let’s start from the basics: Children and devices” sessions dedicated to parents, guardians, teachers, children and teenagers. “These sessions help participants learn about the tools Apple provides and understand how they can be implemented quickly and easily to help people stay safe when browsing online,” explains Apple.
Apple’s tips on using iPhones
The company also released a series of tips for families on how to use iPhone with parental controls: