Ever wonder what kids are really doing online? If you ask them, they’ll usually offer a general response something like, “Watch videos, research, play games, and chat with friends.” But, what does that mean? Videos where? Games where? Are they playing and chatting with real people they know or anyone they can find online with the same interests?
Childrenonline.org might have the answers you and school parents are looking for. The organization surveyed students from 4th grade through 12th about their online habits, including; “Have you ever shared a password with a friend?”; “Do your parents have rules for your Internet use?”; and “During the last few months, have you felt uncomfortable, hurt, or scared online from something that you saw, something that happened to you, or something someone said to you?”
Some of the key findings are the following.
- The two most popular Web sites among students of all ages are Facebook (62.8%) and YouTube (31.9%).
- Only 16% of students reported having some sort of Web filter on their computer.
- One out of every ten students with a cell phone admitted to receiving “offensive or inappropriate photos or videos.”
- One in four students admitted to having a friend online whom they’ve never met.
- Boys are more likely to friend someone online whom they’ve never met then girls.
- 88.8% of high school seniors reported they have no rules for their use of Internet.
Additional ISM articles of interest:
ISM Monthly Update for Division Heads Vol. 7 No. 8 The Bullying Epidemic
ISM Monthly Update for Admission Officers Vol. 9 No. 6 Massachusetts Tracks Bullying
Private School News Vol. 9 No. 4 Tips for Parents on How to Keep Their Children Safe Online
Private School News Vol. 10 No. 2 Educating Kids About Social Media—21st Century Technology in the Classroom
ISM Monthly Update for School Heads Vol. 9 No. 8 According to a New Study Teachers Ill-Prepared to Teach Cybersafety
Additional ISM articles of interest for Consortium members:
I&P Vol. 36 No. 3 Addressing Bullying and Sexual Misconduct
