Parents preparing children for the upcoming school year should purchase simple push-button feature phones rather than high-end smartphones, according to cybersecurity expert Sergey Zolotukhin from technology firm F6.
Speaking in an interview with online news outlet Lenta.ru, Zolotukhin said that mobile devices for pupils should remain simple digital assistants that fit easily into a first-grader's pocket. He advised parents against buying oversized smartphones, stating that children should demonstrate their achievements through diligent study and knowledge rather than showing off fashionable gadgets.
The academic year in Russia traditionally begins on September 1, known as Knowledge Day. Late August represents the peak shopping season for school supplies, clothing, and personal electronics across the country, prompting cybersecurity analysts to offer digital safety recommendations for families.
Parental controls and application limits
If parents choose to buy a smartphone, Zolotukhin recommended removing all unnecessary applications to reduce potential risk sources. Eliminating unused software decreases the number of potential attack vectors and limits exposure to unverified online content.
To manage device usage, Zolotukhin recommended utilizing parental control applications. Apple iPhones include integrated parental restriction tools within their iOS operating system, while Android users can install Google Family Link from the official Google Play store. Google Family Link is a parental management service developed by Google that enables parents to set screen time boundaries, restrict access to explicit content, and approve software downloads.
Zolotukhin advised configuring smartphones to permit downloads only from trusted sources and ensuring all installed programs match the child's age group. He emphasized setting a strong password to protect parental control settings, making it significantly harder for children to bypass established restrictions.
Maintaining security also requires installing the latest operating system and application updates as soon as they become available. In addition, Zolotukhin urged parents to activate two-factor authentication for all accounts linked to the child's phone, including messaging applications and email services. Two-factor authentication provides an additional layer of account protection by requiring a secondary verification code alongside a standard password.
Emergency contacts and call monitoring
For safety in urgent situations, Zolotukhin suggested setting up quick access to parental phone numbers through a favorite contacts widget or a dedicated SOS button. He highlighted the free mobile application Zastupnik, a Russian emergency response tool that enables a child to send an instant distress signal with a single button press to notify parents, local volunteers, and emergency services.
Parents should also inspect their child's call history on a regular basis, Zolotukhin noted. He recommended conducting these log checks together with the child to help them learn to identify potential threats. Schoolchildren should be trained not to answer calls from unknown numbers, and to disconnect immediately if they answer and hear an unfamiliar voice.
Digital hygiene and scam awareness
Regular discussions about online safety are critical for child protection, according to Zolotukhin. He suggested that parents and children test each other on core digital hygiene rules, such as refusing to click suspicious links, avoiding attachments from unknown senders, and staying alert to emerging fraud schemes.
The recommendations on phone selection follow earlier advice from educational experts regarding back-to-school preparations. Previous guidance from a teacher cautioned against last-minute cramming immediately before the academic term begins, warning that urgent attempts to boost academic knowledge right before September 1 can produce the opposite effect on pupils.
