While mobile devices are great for entertainment, communication and education, moms have a unique set of challenges when it comes to sharing devices with children or giving children devices of their own. Like any Internet-connected computer, giving kids access to a smartphone or tablet can also have associated risks attached.

AVG’s survey found that 71% of US moms surveyed frequently share their devices with their children to help keep them occupied, and 41% of moms are educating their kids on mobile threats and scams – such as fake app stores, hijacked wireless networks, virus-infected ads and SMS phishing. Mobile is a new frontier in parenting and while there’s room for improvement from an education standpoint, mobile security apps such as AVG AntiVirus for Android and AVG Family Safety for Windows Phone and iOS devices are at the ready, making it easier than ever for moms to help their kids navigate the web more safely and securely than ever before.

Consider 68% of US moms surveyed do not currently use any child safety measures on their mobile devices, and the benefits of mobile security apps become even more important as a fast and easy means in making kids less vulnerable to a wide range of unfiltered content on the mobile Web. Not surprisingly, the survey found that of mothers who found inappropriate content on devices their children use, in more than half of cases content was pornographic or sex-related.

“AVG recognizes the vast educational and entertainment value the Internet and mobile devices can offer today’s kids,” said Judith Bitterli, senior vice president. “We support allowing children to create and explore their own digital personas. However we also understand the variety of acute dangers that lurk in cyberspace and want to empower mothers to proactively protect their children’s activities the same way they’d protect them crossing the street.”

AVG offers moms the following five tips on how to navigate the mobile and online universe with kids:

1. Relax: you’re in the majority: most moms give kids access to their mobile devices.
2. Educate kids on online/mobile scams and threats.
3. Control content with onboard software.
4. Recognize there’s more to childhood than cyberspace – and consider limiting the time kids spend online. Currently, only 37% of US moms say they are doing so.
5. Talk to kids on your own terms about sex – and make sure they feel safe coming to you or another adult for perspective should they encounter content they should not have seen and do not understand.

Learn more about AVG’s mobile security products.

About AVG Technologies (NYSE: AVG)
AVG’s mission is to simplify, optimize and secure the Internet experience, providing peace of mind to a connected world. AVG’s powerful yet easy-¬to-¬use software and online services put users in control of their Internet experience. By choosing AVG’s software and services, users become part of a trusted global community that benefits from inherent network effects, mutual protection and support. AVG has grown its user base to 150 million active users as of March, 31, 2013 and offers a product portfolio that targets the consumer and small business markets and includes Internet security, PC performance optimization, online backup, mobile security, identity protection and family safety software.
www.avg.com

Contacts:

United States:
Ty Sheppard
Finn Partners for AVG
ty@finnpartners.com
+ 1 (415) 249-6775

United Kingdom:
Amy Bunn
Waggener Edstrom for AVG Technologies
abunn@waggeneredstrom.com
+44 (0)20 7632 3893

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