Teenagers and catfishing, how not to fall into the trap - Lifestyle

False identity online.

It is the so-called Catfishing

- the 'fishing' that is the use of images and information often taken from other people's social media accounts to create a new and fake online identity using the entire identity of an individual as if it were their own.

, which initially concerned the adult world,

.

And very little is known about it.

Kaspersky, in the aftermath of back to school, carried out a survey on Catfishing, conducted together with the Giffoni Innovation Hub, to raise awareness among children and their parents on the phenomenon and be more aware, in times when digital platforms are increasingly central in the life of the boys, months ago for the lockdown and now for the continuation of lessons partly at a distance.

In summary,

but

of which 27% for fun.

Girls are more careful not to fall into a "trap".

about one's physical appearance is

among the reasons that lead to lying

How important is it to know who you are chatting with?

Girls are more careful

The problem of chat safety is definitely felt by Italian boys, who start attending social networks very early: almost 40% open their first profile before the age of 12 and over 80% before the age of 14.

Ad over 6 out of 10 respondents happened to come across fake profiles, having however had the ability to recognize them.

If over 65% therefore consider it essential to get informed and 85% are aware of the seriousness of the phenomenon,

are in particular

, against 43% of males, and also the most sensitive, considering It is important to know who you really chat with: 73%, in fact, give a maximum rating to this aspect, compared to 50% of males.

In general, Catfishing is seen as something that

(cited by 72% of respondents), although 17% think it mainly concerns the world of adults and 13% only very weak and fragile people.

Moreover, some underestimate the danger and do not consider it as such, unless it turns into economic scam, blackmail or threat (14%).

The obsession with likes and the fear of judgment, referring to one's sexual orientation, skin color or body, have important effects: among the reasons that push someone to lie on the net inventing fake profiles, 22% of the young people interviewed believe there is shame for their physical appearance, a belief that belongs equally to both males (23%) and females (21%). 

(the difference between males and females is minimal), claiming to have done it mainly for fun (27%), but also to feel “free” to comment and post contents that with one's own identity one would not have had the courage to share (14%).

Instead, 8% confessed that they did it out of shyness, 5% to increase likes and comments on their personal profile, while 2% admit to having created it to hater on the net and with others.

Another element that emerges from Kaspersky's research is that school does not seem to be a place where we discuss these kinds of issues, which have now become part of contemporary society in all respects: only 29 % declare that they have talked about it with their teachers and, even in this case, it is the girls who worry more, specifically 32%, compared to 25% of boys.

 "In recent months there has been a sharp increase in the use of digital devices necessary for work from home and distance learning, but the use of social media and new communication platforms has also grown, especially by younger people , forced to relate during quarantine only in this way - commented Morten Lehn, General Manager Italy of Kaspersky - In addition to the benefits offered by the possibility of always being connected, it is essential to keep in mind that adolescents are naturally the most exposed to threats of network.

For this reason it is important to create projects and initiatives for a safe digital life and to inform children about the dangers of the online world.

A commitment that we have made with Kaspersky for some time and that we are continuing, with the aim of providing educational tools to parents and teachers, which can guide the correct use of the digital world from childhood. ".