Improving Security and Privacy of Youth

Dr. Sana Maqsood’s research explores how parents teach children about online safety, security, and privacy at home. Building on earlier work about how these topics are addressed in schools, her study examines why privacy and security education may not be happening effectively in the home, even though parents and teachers both recognize its importance. 

Through interviews with parent-child pairs in Canada, Dr. Maqsood found that parents care deeply about their children’s online safety but often lack the knowledge or resources needed to teach these topics effectively. Many conversations happen reactively, after a child has done something perceived as unsafe online, and parents often rely on informal sources such as news, social media, friends, or family. The study also found that parents sometimes use scare tactics or give rigid instructions, such as telling children not to chat with anyone while gaming, even when children feel that this advice does not reflect how they actually use online platforms.

Dr. Maqsood’s work highlights the need for more collaborative, practical conversations between parents and children about online risks. Rather than lecturing or focusing only on what parents think children should know, she recommends that parents first understand what their children are doing online and then discuss risks in ways that are relevant, critical, and engaging. Her findings also point to a broader need for stronger curriculum and policy support so that schools can help ensure children receive consistent education about online safety, security, and privacy.