Ministry of Internal Affairs: Children's digital safety is a shared responsibility

Social media provides children with wide opportunities for learning and communication, but it also exposes them to growing cybersecurity risks, the press service for the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) said in response to a request from Report.

The ministry noted that minors are facing threats such as cyber fraud, cyberbullying, online exploitation, harmful content, and theft of personal data. It stressed that alongside age restrictions on social platforms, stronger parental oversight, effective cybersecurity measures, and digital literacy education are essential for ensuring children's safety online.

Officials warned that even a single online action can have long-term consequences. When children share personal information carelessly with strangers, they risk becoming targets of cybercriminals. Photos, videos, and other personal data posted online can later threaten their safety, reputation, psychological well-being, and future prospects.

One of the most common tactics used by cybercriminals, the ministry said, involves deception through fake content, gaming rewards, phishing links, and fraudulent profiles on social networks. In some cases, offenders pose as peers, gradually gaining children's trust before attempting manipulation.

Information such as school names, home addresses, phone numbers, family photos, and location data can be misused for data theft, blackmail, cyberbullying, and other crimes. Children, the ministry emphasized, should be aware that interacting with strangers online, opening unknown links, or trusting suspicious offers can lead to serious risks.

The ministry also underlined the responsibility of parents to monitor their children's online activity, educate them about digital safety, and ensure they know where to turn for help in dangerous situations. Digital security, it concluded, is not only a technical challenge but also a matter of awareness, responsible behavior, and shared responsibility between families, society, and institutions.