Parents Have No Idea What Teens Are Doing Online
Author: DavidJones // Category: Uncategorized
A few days ago, the Los Angeles Times reported a story that, unfortunately, is not very surprising. However, for many parents it might be. According to the story, in many ways parents are clueless as to what their teens are doing on social networks. The survey polled 1,013 teens and 1,002 parents. Here’s some of the results they found:
- 37% of teens said they used social networks to make fun of other students, but only 18% of parents believe their own angels do so.
- 13% of teens said they posted naked or semi-naked photos or videos of themselves. Only 2% of parents said their kids have done that.
- 24% of teens said they signed on to someone else’s account without permission, while only 4% of parents said their kids have done that.
- 28% of teens posted personal information that they normally would not have revealed in public, but 16% of parents said their kids did that.
It’s very important that parents understand what their teens are doing online. Many parents don’t want to invade the “privacy” of their teen, but it’s also important that parents keep their teen safe and away from illegal or potentially dangerous actions. It’s one thing for a teen to take Facebook quiz called “What Twilight star am I?” It’s another for a teen to post naked or sexually suggestive pictures and/or personal information such as a cell phone number or home address.
Many parents will want to see these stats and think, “That’s disturbing. But my kid isn’t involved in that.” Seems like the majority of the 1,002 parents said the same thing. Look how many of them were wrong.
To read the full story, click here: What Parents Think Teens Are Doing on Social Networks and What the Teens Are Actually Doing
Tags: Facebook, LA Times, Online, Social Networking, Teens