US Study: Young people want increased privacy

A US study by researchers at UC Berkeley and the University of Pennsylvania suggests that, contrary to popular opinion, young adults are concerned about online privacy and have similar views about social networking to those of their elders.

Pupils Bully Teachers on Facebook

According to a report by the Association of Teachers and Lecturers (ATL) pupils are increasingly using social networking sites to undermine and bully teachers.  Some pupils are even making malicious and unfounded allegations of sexual misconduct against teachers.

In one instance a pupil set up a profile under the name of a teacher and wrote on the profile that he enjoyed 'under age sex with both boys and girls'.  In another, pupils set up a Facebook group entitled 'Join this group if you think Mrs [name removed] is still a virgin.'

Bebo, MySpace or Facebook used by a quarter of UK 8-12 year olds

According to a recent survey by UK regulator OFCOM, a quarter (25%) of UK internet users aged between eight and twelve years old have profiles on social networking sites Bebo, Facebook or MySpace. 

This is despite the fact that the lowest minimum age requirement on any of the sites is 13.

Are Your Children Hacking... Your Email Account?

 

In a survey of 1000 children, released by Cumbria Constabulary and reported by CNN, more than a quarter (26%) said that they had tried ‘hacking’ (breaking into another person’s account on a computer) at some point.

Teens Not Interested in ‘Blogging’ or ‘Tweeting’, Prefer Facebook

A study published this week by US organisation Pew Internet reveals the surprising conclusion that, whilst teens spend a long time on Facebook viewing status updates and photographs, they are far less likely to write a blog or use Twitter.

‘1 in 4’ Children sent Pornography by E-Mail

According to research carried out by telephone provider TalkTalk and reported in the Telegraph today, one in four children have been sent inappropriate material, including pornography, by email.

Boys that watch porn online ‘more likely to harass girls’

According to a study by Australian researchers, boys who are exposed to pornography at a young age are more inclined to believe there is nothing wrong with harassing a girl for sex.

The study by the Australian Research Centre in Sex, Health and Society (which collected data from 8 countries) also suggests that boys exposed to porn are more likely to indulge in casual sex – and less likely to form successful relationships as adults.

 

US Children Spend “11 Hours a Day” on Entertainment Media

According to a new study from US organisation The Kaiser Family Foundation, reported on cnet, there has been a ‘dramatic’ rise in the amount of time 8-18 year olds spend using ‘entertainment media’ each day. 

Children Search The Internet for "YouTube, Facebook and Sex"

In recent research published by software company Norton, and discussed on the consumer website Which?, it is revealed that young people are actively searching for "sex" and "porn" online. 

Six-year-olds Illegally Download US TV Shows

According to a survey commissioned by New Media Age Magazine, children as young as six are using the internet to illegally download or stream US TV shows before they are aired in the UK.

Popular US TV shows such as Glee, Heroes, Lost, House and The Simpsons can easily be downloaded shortly after they air in the US.  It is often several weeks before the same episodes air on UK TV channels.

The internet at home... a few facts and figures

Today we thought we'd present to you some facts and figures, which we've collected from various sources on the internet, which demonstrate the way in which children and young people use the internet and the way in which parents deal with their children's internet use. 

We don't seek to be "scaremongers". 

Here, we present the facts, so that you can make up your own mind...