Shoulder surfing for kids is when someone stands close by and secretly peeks at what a child is doing on their screen or typing on a keyboard, like entering passwords or looking at private messages.
At its core, shoulder surfing is a method of information theft in which a cybercriminal watches a victim from nearby to see any information they type or view on their screens. When we talk about shoulder surfing for kids, it means this same sneaky tactic is being used against a child. Instead of targeting adults for bank details or corporate secrets, the shoulder surfer might be trying to get hold of a child's game account password, social media login, personal information, or even just seeing what websites they visit.
It's essentially spying on someone's screen or keyboard from over their shoulder (or from close by) to steal information without them knowing.
How Shoulder Surfing Happens to Kids
Kids might encounter shoulder surfing in various everyday situations where they are using a device:
- In public places: Using a phone or tablet on public transport, in a library, waiting in line, or at a coffee shop.
- At school: Typing passwords or personal info on shared computers or their own devices in busy areas like computer labs or common areas.
- At a friend's house: Sharing devices or using their own device while others are nearby.
- At home: If they are using devices in a part of the house visible to visitors, or if someone in the house is trying to snoop.
What Information is at Risk?
For kids, the information a shoulder surfer might be after could include:
- Passwords: For games, social media, email, school accounts, or devices.
- Login details: Usernames or PINs.
- Personal Information: Home address, phone number, date of birth, school name displayed on screen.
- Private Messages or Photos: Seeing personal conversations or images.
- Financial Details: If a parent's credit card is saved or being used for online purchases while the child is present.
- Online Activity: Seeing what websites they visit or apps they use.
How Kids Can Protect Themselves
Teaching kids simple habits can significantly reduce the risk of being shoulder surfed:
- Be Aware of Surroundings: Encourage them to notice who is around them when using a device, especially in public.
- Use Privacy Screens: For laptops and tablets, these films make the screen content only visible to someone looking directly at it.
- Angle the Screen: Position the device screen away from others.
- Shield the Keyboard: Use their hand or body to cover the keyboard when typing passwords or sensitive info.
- Use Strong, Unique Passwords: Even if a password is seen once, using different passwords for different accounts makes it harder for someone to access everything.
- Log Out When Finished: Don't stay logged into accounts unnecessarily.
- Avoid Using Public Wi-Fi for Sensitive Tasks: Public networks can be less secure, making it riskier to log in or share personal data.
- Talk to a Trusted Adult: If they think someone might have been watching them or trying to steal their information.
Shoulder surfing is a simple but effective way for someone to steal information just by looking. By understanding the risk and taking simple precautions, kids can protect their private information online and off.
