A significant majority of parents globally, 57%, feel more comfortable discussing password security with their children than they do talking about sex education. Only 16% of parents felt more comfortable discussing sex education.
A concerning 30% of parents have never spoken to their children about cybersecurity at all. Among parents of children aged 12-16, 75% have had cybersecurity discussions, compared to 62% of parents with children aged 8-11.
There is a gap in children's knowledge of strong password creation, depending on their age. Only 45% of parents with 8-11-year-olds said their children know how to create strong passwords, whereas 70% of parents with children aged 12-16 said their kids are knowledgeable in this area.
In the U.S., 62% of parents claim they and their children understand how to create strong passwords. However, 41% of those who admitted not knowing how to create strong passwords still give their children access to their mobile phones, and almost a third (32%) allow access to their computers.
Schools play a varying role in cybersecurity education across different countries. In the UK, 40% of parents rely on schools for cybersecurity education, whereas in the U.S., it drops to 21%, then Germany at 23% and France at 24%. This highlights the importance of schools in addressing the gap in digital safety education.
Parents more comfortable discussing passwords than the birds and the bees, new Keeper Security survey reveals
Navigating the digital age: Why parents are more at ease talking about cybersecurity than sex education, and why schools have a crucial role to play
At a glance
A new survey by Keeper Security, a password management company, reveals that parents worldwide are more comfortable talking to their children about password security than sex education. The survey also shows that many parents do not have adequate knowledge or practices on cybersecurity and password security, and that schools play a vital role in educating children on these topics.
The survey was conducted by Censuswide in 2023 among 4005 parents from the US, UK, France and Germany, with diverse socio-cultural backgrounds, educational levels and geographic locations. The survey aimed to explore parental attitudes, practices and concerns surrounding personal safety, sex education, substance abuse and cybersecurity.
The key findings of the survey are:
- 57% of parents globally reported feeling more comfortable talking to their children about password security than sex education. However, 16% of parents expressed a higher comfort level discussing sex education, and 19% stated feeling uncomfortable discussing either topic.
- 30% of parents admitted to not having talked to their children about cybersecurity at all. 75% of parents with children between the ages of 12-16 have spoken to their children about cybersecurity, while 62% of parents of children 8-11 have had the same discussions.
- Only 45% of parents with children 8-11 say their kids know how to create strong passwords, while 70% of those with children 12-16 said the same. Almost half (46%) of parents of 8-11-year-olds say their child does not know how to create a strong password, while just over one in five parents (22%) with 12-16-year-olds said the same.
- US parents claimed the best understanding, with 62% saying they and their children know how to create strong passwords. Over two in five parents (41%) who admitted to not understanding how to create strong passwords give their children access to their mobile phones, and almost a third (32%) give them access to their computers.
- The UK relies the most on schools to provide education on cybersecurity, with 40% of parents saying schools take care of talking to their children about cybersecurity. In comparison, the US relies on schools the least at 21%, then Germany at 23% and France at 24%.
The survey results highlight the need for increased awareness and education on digital safety among parents and children, as well as the importance of schools playing a role in filling this gap. The survey also suggests some possible ways to improve cybersecurity practices, such as creating ethical standards, ensuring transparency and accountability, fostering public awareness and education, and using password managers.