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Articles
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What are your kids doing online?
According to the MSN survey, run by Microsoft as part of Safer Internet Day on 8 February 2011, 75% of teenagers, between the ages of 14 and 18, have been contacted by a stranger via the internet, and as many as 37% have responded out of curiosity, despite being aware of the potential dangers. Furthermore, 67% clear their browser history, ensuring their parents cannot view their online activity.
The MSN survey, established that around 44% of children have lied about their age when online; 37% of those who had been contacted by a stranger responded; and only 4% told someone older that they trusted, such as a parent or teacher. Whilst parents say they are aware of these dangers, many are doing nothing to protect their children.
The survey, investigating the attitudes and behaviours of online safety amongst parents and children was conducted across 11 countries, including South Africa. The results suggest, that whilst parents are aware of the potential dangers, and around 87% talk to their children about these issues, 36% monitor their children’s online activities, whilst 26% do nothing to limit or control their children’s internet usage.
These findings show that parents tend to be oblivious of what their children are doing online. It is highly recommended that parents be actively involved in their children's online lives, and that they use the technology tools available to them to protect their children from potential online dangers.
Arthur Goldstuck, MD, World Wide Worx says "Children may be highly skilled at using the Internet and cellphone features, but they don't know how to deal with the human issues that arise in many situations, and this is where open lines of communication with their parents will prove their value."
| Key Findings of the Safer Internet Day Survey |
| Children |
| 67% of teenagers have cleaned out their browser history and/or cache to make sure their parents can’t see what they were looking at online. 17% say they always do it. |
| 39% of teenagers look at websites or play online games of which their parents would not approve. |
| 44% of teenagers have lied about their age online. |
| 15% of teenagers allow all internet users access to their information on social networks. |
| However, 85% restrict access to only family and friends or use privacy settings to limit access in some way. |
| 75% of teenagers have been contacted by a stranger via the internet, and as many as 37% of these have responded to them out of curiosity. |
| Out of those who have been contacted by a stranger online, 10% have been scared by it, and 11% have been worried. |
| 15% of teenagers have admitted to communicating something via a social network that was intended to be hurtful or intimidating. |
| 23% of teenagers would feel comfortable about making friends with adults online, which they would not ordinarily do, and 18% would feel comfortable revealing secrets online they would not ordinarily share. |
| Parents |
| 87% of parents have talked with their children about potential online dangers — that’s a higher percentage than have had the "birds and the bees" talk (74%). |
| 65% of parents are confident that their children are taking necessary safety precautions with the information they are sharing online. |
| Over a third (36%) of parents admit they do not monitor their children’s online movements or internet postings. |
| 26% of parents do not take any actions to limit or control their children’s internet use at home. 36% use online parental controls or filtering software to block websites. |
| 44% of parents do not know whether their children have privacy settings on their social networks. |
| 69% of parents take steps to ensure their children don’t stumble on any adult- related sites they have visited. |
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