KMOP presents a new study that highlights the urgent need to safeguard children from online risks. The study focuses on the online behaviour, risks, and digital safety awareness of children aged 9 to 12 years in Greece, providing valuable insights into their digital habits and vulnerabilities.
The study, conducted with the participation of 251 children in Greece, unveils alarming data and challenges concerning the safety and well-being of children:
- Increased autonomy, greater risks
76.6% of children have internet access through their own device, offering them greater autonomy but also increasing their exposure to online dangers.
- Daily use of social media and online gaming
Approximately eight in ten children play online games daily, while around six in ten children engage with social media every day.
- Personal data and grooming risks
One in eight children shares photos showing their face. One in seven shares their phone number, and around one in five shares their full name and real age. One in four shares their hobbies and interests, while just over one in three reports an age older than their actual one.
This worrying trend makes children particularly vulnerable to risks from strangers who may attempt to exploit this information to engage in grooming. Additionally, sharing personal data increases the likelihood of privacy breaches, exposing children to exploitation and other forms of online abuse.
- Exposure to inappropriate content
22.8% of children reported being exposed to age-inappropriate content at least once in the past year.
- Lack of awareness of reporting tools
One in three children does not know how to use blocking or reporting tools online.
Key recommendations for a safer digital environment
These findings underscore the pressing need for systematic action and tailored approaches to implement effective measures that protect children in the digital world. The study concludes with several key recommendations to create a safer online environment for children, including:
- Strengthening children’s digital literacy and critical thinking skills to help them navigate the internet safely and responsibly.
- Providing parents with tools to ensure children’s safe use of the internet.
- Actively involving schools as key hubs for raising awareness and fostering safe online practices.
Read the full results of KMOP’s study and explore all the recommendations here.
Collaboration with Save the Children
The findings of the study will be incorporated into related research conducted by Save the Children, with which KMOP collaborates under the “CSAPE – Child Sexual Abuse Prevention and Education” initiative, co-funded by the European Union.
