In today’s digital age, children’s safety online has become a pressing issue. With the growing presence of young users on digital platforms, cybercrimes targeting children have seen a concerning rise. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reported 162,449 offenses against children in 2022 alone, with a 32% increase in cybercrimes compared to the previous year. In a recent conversation with Tech Achieve Media, Shilpa Rastogi, Director at KPMG India, shared insights into practices that promote cyber awareness and resilience among young users. She emphasized on the importance of educating children, parents, and educators alike on safe online practices. She also shared how KPMG India’s efforts are shaping a safer digital landscape for children during the course of the conversation. With over 17 years of experience across private and social sectors, Shilpa has been instrumental in guiding organizations to harness technology responsibly.
TAM: With the rising adoption of digital platforms among young people, what proactive steps can educators and parents take to help children recognize and manage risks associated with online interactions?
Shilpa Rastogi: Technology, as we all know, is everywhere in today’s world. Children are using it extensively for their daily learning, social interactions, and even for staying connected with friends and family, especially during the pandemic. Naturally, they feel comfortable with these digital platforms.
It’s also interesting to recognize some inherent traits in children, such as curiosity, a strong desire to learn, and innocence. However, these very traits can make them vulnerable to various online threats. Digital platforms, while beneficial, can also expose them to certain risks, making it crucial for them to be cyber-aware.
It’s important to remember that the internet is a public asset. What we publish or share online is often permanent, and there are risks involved. As we continue to make the most of these platforms, both educators and parents can play a role in promoting safe internet practices among children.
Some simple, quick wins include teaching children to use strong passwords. For instance, many people—adults included—might use easy-to-guess information like their birth date or place of birth as a password. This makes them more susceptible to cyber threats. So, helping children understand what a secure password looks like is a good start.
Another important habit is logging out of websites once done, rather than just closing the browser window. This prevents others from accessing that session later. When visiting websites, checking the URL for authenticity is essential, as is limiting the amount of personal information shared. For example, when downloading apps, avoid sharing more information than necessary.
On a personal note, I’ve seen this with my own children. They sometimes go to Google Play, download apps, and quickly agree to all permissions without much thought. Taking just a moment to be aware and mindful of these steps can go a long way in safely enjoying the vast resources available online.
TAM: Cyberbullying often leaves lasting impacts on children’s mental health. What are some of the preventative strategies and support resources needed to help children and families navigate these challenges?
Shilpa Rastogi: Taking a broader view, being on the receiving end of unfair or unkind treatment leaves an impression on anyone—especially on children, who are particularly vulnerable. No one, including adults, enjoys being treated poorly. For children, though, such experiences can have a lasting impact, shaping their self-image and potentially influencing how they see the world.
In our busy lives, we may unconsciously signal to children that we’re unavailable, which can affect them deeply. Building awareness and mental resilience is essential. For example, many households now have devices like Alexa or Google Play. How we interact with these devices, especially when they don’t respond as expected, is worth noting. If we express frustration at them, children may internalize this behavior and apply it to human interactions, perhaps assuming it’s acceptable to react harshly when things don’t go as planned.
Moreover, it’s important to display appropriate manners, whether we’re interacting virtually or in person. Our behavior reflects our image, so we should consider how we want to be perceived. Children especially need to understand that being rude or antisocial online can leave a permanent record.
If a child experiences cyberbullying, they should feel encouraged to talk to parents or educators. Sometimes, you can start a conversation indirectly, sharing an example as a third person. For instance, you might say, “A colleague of mine shared something that happened to her child, and here’s how they handled it.” This approach can help children relate to similar experiences they may have had and feel reassured that it’s okay to talk about it.
Lastly, it’s crucial to remind children that the internet is a public space, and not everyone online is a friend, even if they send a friendly request. Accepting friend requests or engaging with strangers should be discouraged, with clear reasons why this is important for their safety.
TAM: As online safety and cybersecurity threats continuously evolve, what are some effective ways to maintain the relevance and effectiveness of educational content designed for children?
Shilpa Rastogi: The world is changing, and so is the internet. Cyber threats are evolving, and the strategies used by bad actors continue to shift. It’s essential, then, to keep online safety content up to date and to present it in a way that’s easily understandable for the intended audience. This way, it remains both relevant and accessible.
The goal is to encourage everyone to use digital platforms confidently. We don’t want to exclude or scare people away from technology. For example, as issues like deepfake AI become more common, it’s important to teach children how to recognize fake content in a way they can understand. One approach might be to simplify the content and make it more engaging—through gamified activities, quizzes, or friendly competitions. These methods can be valuable tools for educators and parents alike, helping to convey essential messages and empowering children to become smart, informed users of the internet.
TAM: Could you share insights into KPMG India’s approach to fostering digital resilience in children, particularly in helping them build confidence in navigating difficult online situations like cyberbullying?
Shilpa Rastogi: KPMG India is committed to fostering safe online habits in children as young as seven. Some key messages we emphasize include protecting one’s online identity, safe gaming practices, smart phone use, avoiding cyberbullying, and being aware of deepfakes.
Regarding cyberbullying, we educate young internet users on three main aspects:
1. Prevention: We encourage children to avoid becoming bullies themselves by not sharing hurtful content and by enabling privacy settings. They’re also taught to engage cautiously with people they don’t know online. These small steps can help them avoid situations where they might either act or be perceived as a bully.
2. Response: If a child experiences bullying, we advise them not to engage further with the bully. Instead, they should end the conversation immediately, block the bully to prevent more messages, and, if possible, document the incident. They should also report it to a trusted adult who can help address the issue.
3. Intervention: If a child witnesses someone else being bullied, it’s equally important for them to act. We encourage them to inform a trusted adult, so the incident can be properly reported and resolved.
These are some of the core messages we share to help young internet users prevent and address cyberbullying.
TAM: How do you foresee partnerships between the corporate sector and educational institutions evolving to create safer online environments for children, and what role does KPMG India play in leading these collaborative efforts?
Shilpa Rastogi: At KPMG India, we aim to promote trust in digital platforms, and a key part of this is raising cyber awareness. Cyber safety is a cause that is close to our mission, and while we strive to make digital spaces safer, we recognize that we cannot achieve this alone. This commitment drives our outreach to young users aged 7 to 17, a program we’ve been running globally for eight years.
Each October, during Cyber Awareness Month, we offer cyber safety sessions to interested schools. Schools simply need to reach out to us, and we’ll mobilize our team from the Digital Trust practice to deliver these valuable lessons. These sessions are not only for children; we’re equally happy to engage with parents and educators, sharing practical insights on safe cyber usage. This year, we are also extending this program to include our own staff.
When it comes to young users, we pay special attention to children with specific needs, such as those with auditory or visual impairments or autism. Through additional research, we’ve worked to understand how these groups use the internet and to identify their potential vulnerabilities to threats like fake calls or misleading messages. Our aim is to provide all users with guidance on safe online habits, tailored to their needs.
In addition to our October initiatives, we’re open to requests from educational institutions, including those in higher education, for cyber awareness talks. These engagements are a valuable way for us to help create a safer digital world through education.
