I recently came across a study that revealed that 32% of all Internet using teens have been contacted by a stranger online (someone that has no known connection to the respondent or their friends). 7% said that this encounter made them feel scared or uncomfortable. For teens with social networking profiles or online photos of themselves, those numbers run even higher.
The findings of this report based on a survey of 935 teens aged 12 – 17 in the USA from October to November 2006. While based on USA specific results the findings can, however, be generalised to the global population.
Some of the findings showed that girls attract the most strangers online, and by far the creepiest of the encounters. For the teen Internet-using population in the US as a whole, only 4% of guys experienced an uncomfortable online contact, while for girls, that number jumps to 11%. Among teens that are contacted by strangers, girls (27%) are far more likely to report feeling scared or uncomfortable compared to boys (15%).
Due to the not so recent articles (here and here) in the news about online sexual predators, it would only be sensible that teens and young kids be informed about the potential hazards of
like Facebook and MySpace.
Children are taught not to talk to strangers or a take sweets from strangers in real life, but what about the encounters that they’ll potentially have with online predators?
Are you a mum, a dad, a teacher? We’d be interested to hear about what you’re doing to protect your kids online?
I have a signed contract with my daughter... (Sounds harsh) but that way we both understand what is acceptable and what is not.
We have agreed that she will get permission before she registers on any website, adds any contact to msn and she has given me access to her Gmail account.
The key is to spend quality time with our children online… teaching them how to use the internet sensibly! oh and to have fun online : )
No method is 100% guaranteed … but I know my daughter knows her stuff and is less likely to be caught out online!
It really comes down to education and communication!
Posted by Janine on 2007/10/18