A recent survey has revealed that 89% of parents use gadgets to keep their children occupied while traveling or to have some personal time.

According to a press release from Kaspersky, a global cybersecurity and digital privacy company, 53% of children in the Middle East, Turkiye, and Africa (META) region receive their first smartphone or tablet between the ages of three and seven. However, 22% of parents admitted they haven't discussed internet safety with their children, raising concerns about kids being unsupervised and unaware of safe online behavior.

The survey also found that 78% of children feel they cannot live without their gadgets, with smartphones, tablets, and game consoles being the top choices.

Seifallah Jedidi, Head of Consumer Channel at Kaspersky (META), emphasized that while gadgets help parents entertain and calm their kids, uncontrolled use poses risks. He advised parents to monitor their child's digital life by limiting screen time and engaging in conversations about online safety.

Jedidi highlighted the importance of parental controls, noting that it's about ensuring safety, not distrust. Such measures can:

• Restrict access to harmful websites and apps

• Block downloads of suspicious files

• Prevent the disclosure of sensitive information

Kaspersky's technologies aim to safeguard children and family data from cyber threats.