Parents More Aware of Risky Teen Internet Behavior

By Spencer D. Chin

TMCnet Web Editor

 

The good news is that more parents and guardians are becoming involved in monitoring their teens’ Internet use and talking to them about online safety. The bad news is that teenagers continue to engage in online practices that place them at great risk to online predators.

 

That’s the finding of new research by Cox (News - Alert) Communications Inc., in partnership with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children® (NCMEC) and TV host and children’s advocate John Walsh. The findings are from the third annual survey Cox and NCMEC have fielded to help parents and guardians understand the potential dangers of the Internet.

 

While the study revealed more parents and guardians are talking to their children about Internet online safety, many teens remain unconcerned about the risks of sharing personal information online and nearly two-thirds post photos or videos of themselves.

 

According to the study, 71% of teens have established online profiles (including those on social networking sites such as MySpace, Friendster and Xanga), up from 61% in 2006. Teens readily post personal information online, with 64% posting photos or videos of themselves, while 58% post information about where they live. Females are far more likely than male teens to post personal photos or videos of themselves (70% vs. 58%).

 

Nearly one in 10 teens (8%) has posted his or her cell phone number online, the study found.

 

More than two-thirds of teens -- 69% -- regularly receive personal messages online from people they don’t know and most of them don’t tell a trusted adult about it. Overall, 19% of teens report they have been harassed or bullied online, and the incidence of online harassment is higher (23%) among 16 and 17 year-olds. Girls are more likely to be harassed or bullied than boys (21% vs. 17%), according to the study.

 

On the positive side, parental awareness of their teens’ online activities has risen significantly. This year, 25% of teens said their parents know “little” or “nothing” about what they do online, down from 33% last year.

 

The study reported that 41% of teens report their parents talk to them “a lot” about Internet safety (up five points over 2006), and three out of four say their parents have talked to them in the past year about the potential dangers of posting personal info. The level of parental involvement is higher for younger teens and girls, although it has increased across all age groups and both genders.

 

The communication is having a positive effect. Teens whose parents have talked to them “a lot” about Internet safety are more concerned about the risks of sharing personal info online than teens whose parents are less involved. For instance, 65% of those whose parents have not talked to them about online safety post information about where they live, compared to 48% of teens with more involved parents, the study found.

 

In addition, teens whose parents have talked to them “a lot” about online safety are less likely to consider meeting face to face with someone they met on the Internet -- 12% vs. 20%.

 

Still, the invincible attitude many teens possess is reflected in their lack of concern regarding online safety. A majority of teens (58%) don’t think posting photos or other personal info on social networking sites is unsafe. Nearly half of teens (47%) aren’t worried about others using their personal information in ways they don’t want. About half (49%) are unconcerned posting personal information online might negatively affect their future.

 

But fewer teens -- 16% in 2007 vs. 30% in 2006 – now consider meeting face to face with someone they’ve talked to only online. In 2007, 8% of teens say they actually have met in person with someone from the Internet, down from 14% in 2006.

 

Complete survey results, online safety tools and tips, and links to NCMEC and other resources are at www.cox.com/TakeCharge.