What South African parents need to know about app permissions and safety.
Users download on average 8.8 apps per month, with app installs increasing by 5% year on year. If you have children in your house, you’ll know how much time they spend on mobile apps every single day but just how safe are the apps on your child’s phone?
Mobile app risks
If you’ve installed an app lately, you’ll know just how many different permissions it asks for. Any app that has access to private information and data and has an internet connection does come with risks.
- While an app may be completely safe, the ads that are present within an app could click through to malicious sites.
- Some apps don’t need any permissions at all while others have an entire list, the app permissions that you accept could put your child at risk.
What you need to know about app permissions
Below are a few app permissions that pose the biggest risks:
- Location. There are a number of different apps that require your location to work but if you can help it, rather discourage your kids from installing apps that can pinpoint their exact location.
- Accounts. Apps that ask to link up to other accounts that are currently being used on a device should preferably not be installed as this can be used to impersonate your child.
- Contacts. Unless it’s a well-known app, don’t allow it to access or modify your child’s contacts.
- Messages. An app that is able to access or send messages on behalf of your child poses a serious security risk. It’s best not to install any apps that ask for permission to do this.
Want to get more tips on how to keep your child safe online? Visit www.saferschools.co.za.
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