:: netwoman's blog ::

Parenting & The Internet

From Ipsos Reid
The Internet is a remarkable resource for today's youth. It allows them to learn about any and all topics they are interested in, and allows them to make new friends all over the world who share similar interests. Unfortunately, too often there's news of a child who has gone missing and the prime suspect is a stranger who was first met online. Other parents fear that too much use of the Internet results inhibits normal social interaction with other children. And of course there is the questionable content that is easily accessible with a few clicks of the mouse.

In the Q2-2004 issue of the Canadian Inter@ctive Reid Report, we took a look at how parents are staying on top of their children's Internet activities. This is to be followed by an in-depth look next quarter at how kids are actually using the Internet. To participate in the study, parents had to have at least one child aged 12 to 17 living at home. Parents who have multiple kids at home were asked specifically about their youngest child in the target age bracket.

The Findings
While the vast majority of parents allow their kids to use the Internet (93%), 58% say they are concerned about their kids' online activities, with 31% saying they are very concerned.

Virtually all parents (95%) feel that they are aware of their kids' online activities with two-in-three saying they are "very aware". But realistically, in the age of dual income households and the accessibility of the Internet at multiple locations, it is very difficult for parents to be aware of all that their kids are doing online. The proportion of parents saying they are aware of their kids' online activities may be a function of wishful thinking more so than actually being aware.

So what steps are parents taking?

* Two-in-three parents are putting their computer in an area where they can easily monitor their kids' online activities, and an equal proportion have guidelines about how and when the Internet is to be used

* Slightly more than half of parents (56%) place time limits or curfews on their kids' Internet usage, while 47% check the browser’s history to determine what sites their kids have been to.

* Only 18% of parents report that they have installed some sort of screening software or service that blocks out questionable content. Seven percent say that they have read their kids' email without their kids knowing.

The vast majority of parents clearly feel that they have a handle on their kids' Internet usage. However, the reality is likely very different. Realistically, the home is not the only place that kids use the Internet. Most have access at school, many have access at a friend’s house, and some might even venture into Internet cafes for unencumbered Internet usage. And even if the majority of one's Internet usage is at home, parents' belief that they have a good handle on how their kids are using the Internet may be a case of wishful thinking. This came to light in September 2003 when the RIAA's initial series of lawsuits against those sharing music files included a 12-year-old girl living in public housing. The mother of the girl in question had no idea that her daughter was sharing music files and the girl in question had no idea that sharing music files is illegal.

posted by Netwoman @ 8:16 PM