Cyber threat is closer to home: A wake-up call for parents
My life revolves around digital fortresses and the relentless blocking of those who want to tear them down. As a cybersecurity analyst and senior technology editor of the Manila Bulletin, I imagine myself as a sentinel in a constantly evolving battle, protecting sensitive data and defending innocent users from the shadowy figures operating in the internet's darkest corners.
I believe in sharing my knowledge. That’s why I give talks and lessons to anyone who will listen, from local businesses to school groups. Senior citizen groups, religious institutions, and public schools are my “suki” when it comes to cybersecurity talks. I teach people how to fortify their online accounts, spot phishing scams, and cultivate a healthy dose of skepticism in the digital wild west. I even spread the word within my family, reminding them endlessly about the dangers lurking behind every flashy ad or seemingly harmless email.
One of my key pieces of advice for parents is simple: place the family computer in the living room, a space where everyone can see what those curious, tech-savvy youngsters are getting up to, and if the kid is more comfortable studying in his room, ask him to leave the door open. Kids naturally want privacy, but it’s a parent’s job to maintain a balance between freedom and oversight.
So, when I saw my son’s bedroom door locked last night, a little red flag waved in my mind. He’s usually open, glued to whatever new game has swept through his friend group, with the door flung open as if to invite passing commentary. I knocked, and when he opened it, his phone screen glowed brightly, hastily angled away from me. His voice took on an overly casual tone, the practiced indifference of a teenager with something to hide (been there, done that, kiddo).
“Just doing some homework, Dad,” he casually said, though I could see the telltale flickering of a video chat interface reflected on the wall.
All my talks and warnings felt like empty words bouncing off a digital wall at that moment. “Let me see your phone,” I said, my voice firmer than intended.
Reluctantly, he handed it over, mumbling assurances that he was
“being careful” and following my advice. A pang of guilt shot through me. Maybe this was just teenage awkwardness, and I was overreacting. Yet fatherly instinct, sharpened by years of cybercrime horror stories, refused to be silenced.
My eyes scanned the screen, and my heart sank. I didn’t find school friends or gaming banter in that harmless-looking messaging app. Instead, I saw a skillfully constructed persona. Someone is claiming to be close to my son’s age, weaving a web of shared interests and false empathy. Worse, my son, usually so clued-in, was slowly being coaxed into divulging information. A birthday here, a favorite band there, family members’ names, parents’ jobs, school address... seemingly harmless bits that, woven together, could act as a skeleton key to crack his entire online existence.
Identity theft, financial drain, emotional damage — all those threats I spent my life deflecting for others were suddenly aimed at my own child. A surge of anger and protectiveness swept over me, but I forced myself to be calm.
This wasn’t a time for lectures or punishments. It was a time for learning, showing my son how easy it is to be fooled, even when you think you’re being smart. In the following days, we’ll go over every warning again, not with reproach but with a newfound understanding. The battle against cybercrime won't be won in a day, but tonight, within the walls of my home, a small victory was achieved.
To parents like me. The online world offers vast opportunities, but it is also full of dangers. It’s tempting to trust our tech-savvy kids to assume their generation naturally understands these threats. But my experience is this: vigilance is essential. Open communication, shared understanding, and an awareness of your child's online world are some of the most powerful protective measures you can take.
Open communication, shared understanding, and an awareness of your child's online world are some of the most powerful protective measures you can take.