Security technology firm McAfee has released a new report which claims that up to 92 percent of Indian teenagers as well as younger Internet users admit to have engaged in risky behavior online. On top of displaying web activity which can affect their reputation in a negative manner, 70 percent of the survey respondents from this group have also posted personal information like their phone number, email ID or residential address in the virtual spaces.
Many companies already examine the social media profiles of applicants while vetting them for jobs. Even if employment opportunities are the last thing on a teenager’s mind, their online behavior may still count in the future when it comes to getting admissions in reputed colleges or other educational institutions. It’s not like Indian youth are oblivious to the dangers of sharing risky details on the web, since 80 percent of participants were said to be aware of this.
So what causes young people to engage in activities society generally frowns upon? Peer pressure apparently plays a part in forcing teenagers to fake stuff in order to portray a cooler image of themselves online. According to McAfee, 46 percent of respondents felt more likes, shares, comments or similar acknowledgement from others was enough reason to put themselves in dangerous situations, while 64% attempted to reinvent their virtual personalities by making fake profiles, posting photos of others and so on.
Also see: Social media users fake stuff to appear authentic online
What’s more, Indian youth are revealed to be increasingly trusting of strangers, with 53 percent having met an individual in person after making their acquaintance on the Internet. Their privacy being compromised and being hacked are two of the top answers which came up when participants were asked about what they fear the most with regards to online issues. Only 18 percent of respondents were afraid of being cyber-bullied even though half of them were victims of such attacks or simply witnessed them.
McAfee feels parents can take a more active part in their kids’ Internet activities by talking to their young ones about it and being open to communication. Another way to curb risky online behavior would be to make sure children are aware about the fact that everything uploaded to the Internet will continue to live there permanently.