Report: Parents more comfortable talking about passwords with kids than they are about sex

A survey from a password management company has found that most folks prefer talking with their children about cyber security over sex education.

Report: Parents more comfortable talking about passwords with kids than they are sex

The Keeper Security Parental Practices Report: Conversations on Cybersecurity, released overnight, found that 57 per cent of parents polled globally felt more comfortable talking about password security with their kids compared to talking about sex.

A small 16 per cent were more comfortable talking about sex than passwords, and oddly nearly one in five feel that neither is an easy subject to broach.

However, 30 per cent of parents surveyed have not spoken to their children at all about cyber security, while 41 per cent don’t even know how to create strong passwords themselves – and yet still let their child access their mobile phones.

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When it comes to being confident that their kids can create strong passwords, 45 per cent of the parents of eight- to 11-year-olds believe their children are up to the challenge, which rises to 70 per cent when it comes to parents of 12- to 16-year-olds.

There’s even a slight gender divide when it comes to passing on cyber security advice. Fifty-six per cent of mothers are responsible for guiding their children in matters of cyber security, compared to 52 per cent of fathers.

“In an era marked by digital immersion, parenting responsibilities extend beyond the traditional concerns. As children spend more time online, the discourse around cyber security has become a crucial element of modern parenting,” said Darren Guccione, chief executive of Keeper Security, in a statement.

“This study highlights the need for increased awareness and education on digital safety among parents, as well as the importance that schools play in filling this gap, and perhaps, taking action at an earlier age.”

David Hollingworth

David Hollingworth has been writing about technology for over 20 years, and has worked for a range of print and online titles in his career. He is enjoying getting to grips with cyber security, especially when it lets him talk about Lego.