Across various Internet-connected devices teens feel safer online compared to parents
Comcast Corporation announced the findings of its Internet safety and security survey to assess the general knowledge, attitudes and behaviors among U.S. adults and teens. One of the highlights in the independent nationwide survey revealed that although 95 percent of parents believe it is just as important to talk about online safety issues with their children as it is to talk about sex education and the risks associated with drugs and alcohol, only 65 percent have actually had that discussion. To help parents initiate these conversations with their children as they progress through different developmental stages, Comcast is raising awareness about new discussion guides created by Dr. Michael Rich, director of the Center on Media and Child Health at Childrens Hospital in Boston. The results of the survey and new guidelines come just before the busy online holiday season when consumers rush to the Internet to shop and search for seasonal content. Some of the survey results were surprising because they showed that parents and teens may not be on the same page on a variety of online safety issues. As a result, we want to raise awareness about great resources for parents, teachers and caregivers to talk about how to be safe online with their kids or loved ones, said Cathy Avgiris, SVP and general manager of Communications and Data Services for Comcast Cable. Among other findings, the survey revealed that when using the Internet, 65 percent of parents say online security and safety is most important to them compared to only 46 percent of surveyed teens. Across various Internet-connected devices, including personal computers, laptops, tablets and smart phones, teens feel safer online compared to parents.
