Russian Parents Are Teaching Kids Cybersecurity Alongside Their First Smartphone

In Russia, most parents introduce cybersecurity lessons as soon as their child gets a smartphone—usually around age 11.

A growing number of Russian parents are taking cybersecurity seriously—starting with their child’s first phone. According to a recent survey by the Avito online platform and telecom provider MTS, 64% of adults said they teach kids about digital safety immediately after handing over a smartphone. In fact, 72% actively educate children on how to navigate the online world responsibly, and more than a quarter (27%) begin the conversation even before the device is purchased.

On average, Russian parents believe children become digitally independent at age 11. The age varies depending on the parent’s generation: adults aged 25–34 typically introduce smartphones around age 9, while those 55–64 prefer to wait until the child is 12.

Most parents rely on core safety rules—like not sharing personal information (74%), avoiding suspicious links (73%), and limiting access to accounts (61%). Financial literacy is another key area: 55% of parents warn against using unverified websites for online shopping, and 50% advise children not to send direct money transfers. One-third (33%) emphasize strong password practices and two-factor authentication.

Parenting strategies around screen time and internet usage differ. About 28% of parents set time limits, 21% combine time restrictions with content filtering, and 19% focus only on monitoring what their children watch. Meanwhile, 22% say they encourage independence in navigating the web, and 10% impose no restrictions at all.