[Guest Post] Only 19% of 16-24 year olds use security software on their mobile device

By , 11 March 2014 at 11:12
[Guest Post] Only 19% of 16-24 year olds use security software on their mobile device
Digital Life

[Guest Post] Only 19% of 16-24 year olds use security software on their mobile device

By , 11 March 2014 at 11:12

By Luke Mitchell, (@coolhandorg) Head of Insight at Voxburner

11 March 2014: Do young people feel in control of their data? Are they engaged in the debate on data privacy? Here are my take-aways from a recent study into how 16-24s feel about online security and data privacy.

The statistics revealed that only 19% of 16-24s use security software on their mobile device, compared to 87% who do so on their laptop or PC. Most young people regard themselves as advanced technology users who are experienced enough to recognise scams and avoid viruses, but it is surprising how little concern they show when it comes to their phone being at risk. There is an worrying assumption that they are safe from dangers on their mobiles.

They are conflicted about data privacy, wanting to enjoy the services and features private companies offer them while feeling exposed by the level of personal information they are surrendering.

The vast majority of young people (93%) believe they have a high or good ability to deal with security threats across all their devices, whilst over half (58%) consider themselves only at minor risk. Among the group of young people we spoke to in follow up interviews, there was a surprising level of ignorance when it came to mobile devices. One girl said: “I didn’t even know you could get antivirus for your phone. To be honest I don’t download anything on to my phone anyway so I don’t know how I could get a virus.”

Young technology users are resistant to thumbprint scanning built into the lock screen of their phone. Even if it offers some benefits, 18-24s spoke of the disruption to their user experience – they value convenience and speed above improved security. Raphael aged 20 said, “It’s a pretty cool feature, but I’m not too keen on Apple having my fingerprints no matter how much they say it’s private and secure. It’s also not worth upgrading from the iPhone 5 for the new features.”

59% of 16-24s believe the Internet needs more censorship

Often typecast as libertarians, the truth is that young people today are more conservative than any youth generation before them. The majority in our research believe that the Internet needs more control – a viewpoint that is surprisingly at odds with the mood of internet culture opinion-setters.

It’s clear that young people, as highly engaged technology users, believe they have the savvy and experience to avoid issues like scams and viruses. Yet as a more active and involved group, they are ironically subject to more regular risk. Meanwhile they are conflicted about data privacy, wanting to enjoy the services and features private companies offer them while feeling exposed by the level of personal information they are surrendering.

To find out more and read the free Online Security and Data Privacy report from Voxburner, download here. And if you missed Telefonica’s latest Digital Futures video on security, featuring four global pros, you might want to take a look below.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFB0M8YuckI[/youtube]

previous article

Telefonica’s Digital Manifesto: 10 recommendations for a better Internet experience

Telefonica’s Digital Manifesto: 10 recommendations for a better Internet experience
next article

We’re at the starting line with Connected Cars

We’re at the starting line with Connected Cars