26 01732 759725 make sure our parents and grandparents feel supported, not ashamed, when it comes to digital security.” For many, that dreaded parental “talk” was once a rite of passage. Now, the roles have reversed and the guidance is coming from the younger loved ones. Families across the UK are realizing that online safety is a fullfamily affair and they’re stepping up. According to the study, a majority 58% of Brits with older loved ones have stepped in to help an older relative avoid a cyber threat, with Gen Z and Millennials leading the way; over half (56%) say they’ve recently taught an older family member something about staying safe online. Turns out the young ones aren’t just being dramatic. There’s good reason the family group chat might be blowing up about tech scams. A worrying 41% of Brits with older loved ones believe their older relatives would fall for a scam if targeted, and nearly one in three (30%) believe that their older loved ones engage in risky online habits. What’s making younger folks sweat when thinking about their older loved ones online? Clicking suspicious links tops the list (68%), followed by answering unknown calls (60%), oversharing personal info (55%), using weak passwords (51%) and replying to mystery texts (47%). In fact, 85% of these concerned adults even shared a word to the wise, but their With scammers growing smarter and older generations often in their crosshairs, Avast, a consumer Cyber Safety brand of Gen™, released a new study revealing how families are stepping up to protect their own – one slightly awkward tech talk at a time. The study highlights just how vulnerable older loved ones are, and the challenges families face in bridging this generational digital divide. The Avast Safe Tech Report found that an alarming 52% of Brits with older loved ones say their elders have already fallen victim to cybercrime. Of those affected, over a quarter (26%) experienced a scam while one in five (21%) fell victim to financial fraud, among other serious threats such as data breaches and identity theft. Avast also found that 80% of cybercrime is originating from scams and social engineering – where cybercriminals manipulate people into giving money or personal information. These are not isolated incidents. They reflect a pattern of consistent risk with devastating consequences for one of the UK’s most vulnerable demographics. “Technology moves fast and we often focus on its impact on younger generations, but we can’t ignore how it affects our parents and grandparents, too,” said Leyla Bilge, Global Head of Scam Research for Avast. “Think of the safety guidance you would get on a flight – put on your own oxygen mask before helping others. The same applies to Cyber Safety: learn the tips and then you can help family and friends. Even a single conversation could make a big difference.” “Like many of us, I’ve seen firsthand how easily a loved one can be misled by a convincing scam,” said Jorij Abraham, Managing Director, Global AntiScam Alliance. “Empowering families to talk openly about online safety is essential. We need to New report from Avast reveals a generational role reversal as younger Brits teach their elders to dodge digital dangers Online scares hit home: Over half of Brits with older loved ones say they have been caught out online REPORT
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