Common Sense Media Study Discusses Teen Internet Habits
According to a recent study from San Francisco-based Common Sense Media, slightly more than more than 1 out of every 10 teenagers has posted a nude or seminude picture of themselves or others online. And that’s not all. As detailed in an article for the San Francisco Chronicle, the study revealed a wealth of additional information about teen Internet habits, including how long they’re online, where they go when they’re online, and what they do when they’re online. Here’s a breakdown of the numbers.
Teen social networking by the numbers
51 Percentage of teens who check their sites more than once a day.
22 Percentage who check their sites more than 10 times a day.
39 Percentage who have posted something they later regretted.
37 Percentage who have used the sites to make fun of other students.
25 Percentage who have created a profile with a false identity.
24 Percentage who have hacked into someone else’s social networking account.
13 Percentage who have posted nude or seminude pictures or videos of themselves or others online.
Last week, Noah Lang shared some terrific insights into ReputationDefender’s ongoing efforts to protect children from the dangers of the Internet. In conjunction with the Internet Keep Safe Coalition (iKeepSafe), ReputationDefender has helped countless parents, teachers, and counselors learn more about Internet privacy, cyberbullying, and other significant safety issues.
While it is disheartening that stories like the one in the Chronicle continue to pop up, it is not the end of the world. Using a combination of common sense and technology, parents can help make sure their children aren’t getting into trouble online. It is imperative that parents take an active role in helping their children understand the Internet is not as private as they think. One mistake online can become a serious impediment to a teen’s efforts to get into college, find a job, and more. As with all things, prevention begins with education.
