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Scoop
30-04-2025
- Scoop
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


Scoop
30-04-2025
- Scoop
Norton Highlights Family Cybersecurity In The Context Of Netflix's Adolescence Series
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


Reuters
12-02-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Germany's struggle to house refugees fuels election debate
Summary Germany accepted more than 2 million refugees since 2022 Migration is a key issue for voters in coming federal elections Municipalities report financial deficit and logistical strain Housing is the biggest challenge for refugee care ROTT AM INN, Germany, Feb 12 (Reuters) - Outside a disused lamp factory in the southeastern German village of Rott am Inn, four mannequins, including one holding a baby, are squashed against the wall next to two bunk beds. The display, meant to symbolise Germany's struggle to cope with refugees, is part of a protest against local authorities' plans to house 300 migrants at the site. The plan has sparked more than a dozen demonstrations, a petition with 4,000 signatures and three pending lawsuits. Such protests reflect wider debate about migration ahead of national elections on February 23 in Germany, where support for the hard-right, anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) has surged. Migration ranks among voters' top concerns. The issue shows a profound shift in German public sentiment since its "Refugees Welcome" culture during Europe's migrant crisis in 2015. "We do not have the infrastructure capacity to accommodate so many people at once in our community," said Korbinian Hein, 24, the son of the owner of a freight company located in front of the Rott am Inn site. "Our town has 2,200 residents, and now they plan to house 300 refugees here. That is a glaring imbalance in relation to the population size." Support for the AfD rose 7 percentage points in Rott am Inn in European Parliament elections last year from 2021 as the party tapped local frustrations over the shelter plans. "I don't understand how anyone can justify putting young asylum seekers in such a situation or risk disturbing the peace in the village," Leyla Bilge, AfD candidate for the nearby Bavarian city of Rosenheim, told Reuters. Residents worry about the burden on local infrastructure even in one of Germany's wealthiest regions, and also have concerns about overcrowding leading to conflict, and about the refugees' safety. Two of the rooms in the factory were closed due to mercury contamination. Otto Lederer, the administrator of Rosenheim district that is home to Rott am Inn, said efforts to find alternative refugee housing in other municipalities had failed. He added that the state of Bavaria, which funds refugee housing, rejected a proposal to build container housing instead of using the industrial hall in Rott am Inn due to higher costs and the need to quickly empty sports halls currently used for refugee housing. Nearly 40% of municipalities in Germany described their refugee situation as being in "emergency" or "crisis" mode, a survey by the Institute for Democratic Development and Social Integration showed in November. Nationwide, public opposition to accepting more refugees has increased, climbing to 68% last month from 55% in 2022, according to the German Institute for Global and Area Studies. The federal government allocates 7,500 euros ($7,777) a year per asylum seeker to states but this doesn't count people whose asylum requests were rejected and who remain in Germany. "If you look at the actual costs on the ground ... we are talking about costs closer to 15,000 euros per year, and this is trending upwards," Andre Berghegger, head of the German Association of Cities and Municipalities, told Reuters. In the first three quarters of last year, municipalities reported a 25.9 billion euro deficit, 14.5 billion more than the same period in 2023, due to rising expenditure on housing assistance and welfare support. FROM WELCOME CULTURE TO DISILLUSION Rosenheim, which is 16 km (10 miles) from Rott am Inn and close to the Austrian border, was one of the first stops for refugees entering Germany in 2015. Volunteers welcomed them at train stations in what became a symbol of Germany's "Welcoming Culture". The welcome was fuelled by strong economic growth, allowing Germans to take pride in their humanitarian role after being seen as tough enforcers during the euro zone crisis, said Anne Koch, a migration policy researcher at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs. Growth has since stalled, with mainstream political parties on the one hand agreeing that migrants can help plug the country's skilled labour shortage while also hardening their stance towards irregular migration. "In 2015, people in our region were very, very open to refugees. But when the numbers increased so much, a certain amount of disillusionment set in," Lederer said. The number of sheltered homeless individuals in Germany more than doubled between 2022 and 2024, partly because many refugees who have been granted asylum remain in temporary shelters due to a lack of housing, according to a parliamentary inquiry in December. "What should the district administrator do? He gets people dropped off at his door by bus and then he is lovingly told to accommodate them. What should he do? And that happens every day. Not nice. Not nice at all," Daniela Ludwig, candidate in Rosenheim for the conservative CSU party, told Reuters. Her party's campaign posters in the Rosenheim area pledge to curb migration. The Bavaria-based CSU is allied nationally with the Christian Democrats (CDU), and together they are expected to come first in the election. TACKING RIGHT Violence involving suspects with migrant backgrounds, including in Aschaffenburg last month where an Afghan asylum seeker was arrested over a deadly knife attack targeting children, has intensified voter concerns about security and migration. The belief that refugees increase violent crime rose to nearly 69% last month from 55% in 2022, according to a study by the German Institute for Global and Area Studies. Nationally, in 2023 refugees made up approximately 3.5% of Germany's total population, yet the proportion of suspected offenders was 8.9% of all criminal suspects, according to the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA). Christian Walburg, a criminologist at the University of Muenster, said the trend can be partly attributed to demographics of age and gender, in addition to a lack of social network or support system and the unstable living situation in refugee shelters. In Rott am Inn, Hein's 55-year-old father said he was proud to have hired two refugees — one from Eritrea and another from Ukraine — for his freight company and believes the village remains welcoming. "Migration isn't the problem — it could be the solution if managed fairly and humanely. The real issue is creating two separate societies: one locked away in shelters and the other outside," he said. ($1 = 0.9643 euros)