Norton Highlights Family Cybersecurity In The Context Of Netflix's Adolescence Series
Press Release – Norton
Experts Emphasize the Importance of Parental Controls and Cybersecurity Tools to Help Protect Teens in the Digital Age.
Experts from Norton, a consumer Cyber Safety brand of Gen™ (NASDAQ: GEN), are highlighting the importance of parental controls and online protection in light of Netflix's popular new series, Adolescence. The show explores the complex challenges teens face in the digital age, from the pressures of social media to cyberbullying. Through its characters, the series sheds light on how young people are exposed to digital risks that can affect their safety, emotional well-being, and online privacy.
As teens spend more time in digital environments, it is crucial for parents to be equipped to help protect their children's online security. Platforms like social media, online games, and messaging apps have become essential parts of young people's lives, but they also present risks such as exposure to inappropriate content, identity theft, and cyberbullying. These issues, which are prominent in Adolescence, also affect millions of teens in real life.
Cyber Safety and Privacy in Teens' Digital Lives
The digital world has increased young people's exposure to invisible threats. Cyber Safety experts from Norton stress that – while these challenges are complex and not always easy to solve – there are steps parents can take to help protect their children from these risks. Parental control tools, such as Norton Family, help ensure a safer online experience, allowing parents to see their child's search history and watched videos, monitor for age-appropriate content, set screen limits, and more.
Cyberbullying is a growing challenge in the digital space, where teens may be vulnerable to hurtful or aggressive comments on platforms like social media and messaging apps. This type of harassment can occur at any time, often without parents knowing, as online interactions are available 24/7. Using technologies that allow parents to monitor access to inappropriate content and set screen time limits is one way to help protect teens. Furthermore, maintaining open conversations about cybersecurity and privacy is essential for helping teens understand the risks and adopt responsible online habits.
'Being a parent is difficult, especially in an age where children are constantly connected online. While it's not the only solution to the challenges of parenting a teen, there are technologies that can help protect the digital wellness of young people online, such as Norton Family,' said Leyla Bilge, Global Head of Scam Research at Gen. 'Understanding what your children are doing online can help spur open dialogue about online dangers. These regular conversations about cybersecurity can help young people be better prepared to navigate the digital world.'
Practical Tips for Parents:
Talk about digital risks: Have regular conversations with your kids about online risks, including identity theft, cyberbullying, and protecting their privacy.
Use parental control tools: Tools like Norton Family allow parents to monitor their children's online activity and block inappropriate content, helping foster responsible technology use.
Set healthy screen time limits: Help your kids balance their time between online and offline activities to avoid digital dependency issues.
Encourage online privacy: Teach your kids not to share personal information on public platforms and to protect their social media profiles.
Practical Tips for Teens:
Think before you post: Before sharing something online, ask yourself if you really want everyone to see that information. Remember, once you post something, it can stay there forever.
Protect your passwords: Use strong, unique passwords for your accounts. Don't share them with anyone and consider enabling two-factor authentication for added security.
Don't respond to hurtful messages: If you receive hurtful or aggressive messages, don't respond. Talk to a trusted adult, such as a parent or teacher, and block the person who is harassing you.
Keep your profile private: Adjust your social media privacy settings to control who can see your personal information. This will give you control over what you share and with whom.
Remember you're not alone: If you ever feel uncomfortable or harassed online, know that help is always available. Talk to your parents, a trusted friend, or even a professional if needed.
About Norton
Norton is a leader in cybersecurity and part of Gen™ (NASDAQ: GEN), a global company dedicated to advancing digital freedom with a family of brands trusted by consumers. Norton protects millions of people and families with award-winning protection for their devices, online privacy, and identity. Norton's products and services are certified by independent testing organizations such as AV-TEST, AV Comparatives, and SE Labs. Norton is a founding member of the Anti-Stalkerware Coalition. For more information, visit https://www.norton.com/.
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