Maroc Telecom, Kaspersky Lab launch control solution to protect children from inappropriate content

Maroc Telecom and Russian multinational cybersecurity firm, Kaspersky Lab, have launched a control solution for parents, aiming to protect children from inappropriate content in the digital world.

Both companies have expressed commitment to this initiative, and have, therefore, launched a control solution to allow parents to protect and monitor their children’s technological use.

Using this control solution, parents will be able to control the time their children spend online. They will also be able to filter online content, whether by controlling children’s browsing options or by blocking specific websites or applications containing inappropriate or risky content.

“By having one account, parents can control several devices of their children”, said Maroc Telecom, specifying that “two subscription formulas are available, for MAD 10 including tax per month or MAD 100 including tax per year,” and will be compatible with laptops, smartphones, and tablets (Android and iOS).

The solution also makes it possible to get a follow-up on their child’s social media use, as well as manage the activity of the child on the different platforms.

In addition, the solution has a feature that enables parents to receive real-time notifications of their child’s battery levels.

The launch of this option comes as a result of a Kaspersky recent survey’s findings, concluding that Moroccan children use smartphones extensively, especially during the total lockdown imposed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which forced schools to adopt remote education.

Additionally, the current COVID-19 wave has forced most children to continue remote education following the spread of COVID-19 in educational institutions.

The National Education Ministry’s recent decision included a mandatory closure of classrooms once three positive COVID cases have been recorded among students and a week of remote education.

Furthermore, If more than 10 cases are recorded in different classrooms, the school must shut down and implement remote education for 7 days, in line with local authorities.

For the period from January 24 to 29, the National Education Ministry said the Omicron variant affected a total of 3,287 students in Morocco, resulting in the closure of 159 public educational institutions, and 14 institutions affiliated with foreign missions.

The adoption of remote studies among Moroccan children will increase the exposure to screens and their dangers, in addition, to spending more time on entertainment activities,” notes the operator.

Kaspersky’s survey findings have shown that 88% of parents have never used software of this type to protect their children from digital-related risks, and only 3% of Moroccan parents feel that their child is a victim of cyberbullying online, and 10% have already had their child’s school contacted because of their inappropriate behavior in humiliating a classmate on social media.

The survey also showed that 83% of Moroccan parents believe that their children are too often confronted with violent content on the Internet, while 82% believe that digital entertainment “takes up too much time in children’s daily lives.”

39% of Moroccan parents disapprove of their children using the TikTok social media platform.