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Do you know what your kids are doing online—whether they are talking to strangers or putting their computers and themselves at risk? Chances are, you know something about what your kids are doing on the Internet but not everything.

Today’s young people are “digital natives” who grew up with the Internet and use it more skillfully and comfortably than many adults—for communication, education, and entertainment. However, their high level of online participation also opens them up to potential dangers, such as cyberbullying, personal information sharing, and online threats. It’s important for you to understand the potential benefits and risks of your kids’ online lives, so we can nurture the positive aspects, such as increased communication skills and online learning, while minimizing risks.

To help you better understand young people’s relationships with the online world, McAfee commissioned the Youth Online Behavior Study for McAfee, conducted online by Harris Interactive from May 4 to May 17, 2010. The study surveyed 1,357 10 to 17-year-olds in the U.S. on how they use the Internet, what kind of content and media they view and download, and their level

of engagement in risky online behaviors. Where possible, the survey results from 13-to 17-year-old participants are compared with data collected in the Teen Online Behavior Study, conducted in 2008 among 13- to 17-year-olds in the U.S.

The results point to a need for ongoing communication with your kids about how to behave in the online world. For instance, this year’s survey showed that over one quarter of teens online had accidentally allowed their home computer to become infected with a virus or other malware. And, while almost all kids say that they knew how to be safe online, around half admit to giving out personal information to someone they do not know over the Internet. Let’s explore some other key findings.

 

Source: McAfee

Read more: http://us.mcafee.com/en-us/local/docs/lives_of_teens.pdf

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