Childnet welcomes “UK Children go online” report 21 July 2004
Childnet welcomes the publication of the UK Children Go Online report by the London School of Economics and Political Science published today which forms part of the largest ever academic research programme to look at the impact of digital technologies on UK society and institutions.
As one of the co-funders of the report and a member of the advisory board, Childnet has been involved in supporting the research team as they have conducted in-home, face to face surveys with 1,500 young people aged 9-19 and interviewed 906 of their parents. See www.children-go-online.net.
Whilst previous research about children’s use of digital technologies has mainly focused on specific areas of the Internet, e.g chatrooms, this report takes a satellite view of the children’s use of the Internet relative to other technologies revealing their real attitudes and experiences in the full context of their home and school lives. As such it gives a profound insight into the specific role that such technologies play in their lives, as well as some of the possible unexploited opportunities and unaddressed dangers.
One of the key research findings that parents considerably underestimate the risks their children are experiencing online, mirrors the feedback which Childnet staff receive from working directly with children and young people in schools through Childnet’s Kidsmart programme which includes a seminar resource for parents. Childnet is pleased that the report gives some insights into the causes of this divide. For example, the private and intimate nature of the internet and mobile phone relative to other media and children’s desire for privacy. The report also reveals parent’s tendency to prefer restrictive guidance rather than creating a dialogue with their children about the dangers, resulting in children being less likely to disclose events for fear of having the technology banned, blocked or removed. Finally the report emphasizes the need for adults to become more technology literate which would help their confidence in engaging with their children’s online experiences – both positive and negative.
The mismatch between what parents claim their children are doing online and what children and YP are actually doing is illustrated in the report with a number of findings including:
Stephen Carrick-Davies, CEO of Childnet says
“This survey shows that whilst awareness of risks is now high among parents, there still remains a lot of confusion as to how their children are using the internet and what to do about the risks. Parents need better practical advice and support on how to be more involved in their children’s use of ICT in the home and ensure that children stay safe and get the most out of the internet. “
One of the surprising findings is that 30% of young people interviewed said they had not received lessons on using the Internet in schools. This is despite the fact that there is near universal access to the internet in UK schools. Stephen says,
“As schools are increasingly encouraging students to use the Internet outside of the schools for homework and as more YP own mobile phones, it is vital that schools help pupils develop information literacy and critical thinking skills to help them navigate potentially manipulative environments and get the most out of these technologies especially when accessed in non-supervised and protected environments. These applications are now part of modern childhood and using them responsibly and safely has to become a life skill”.
Childnet is committed to helping both parents and young people understand the online safety issues and use the new technologies responsibly. Childnet’s Kidsmart schools resources have already been used in over 3,000 schools and over 1 million leaflets have been distributed.
END
About Childnet International (www.childnet-int.org)
Childnet International is a non-profit organisation (charity no 1080173) with the mission to work in partnership with others to help make the Internet a great and safe place for children. In all its work Childnet seeks to take a balanced approach. Since 1995 the organization has been developing award-winning education and awareness resources for schools and parents as well as responding strategically to the policy and protection issues. Childnet is a member of the UK Government’s Home Office Task Force on Child Protection on the Internet.
See www.childnet-int.org for full details and links to the charities projects.
The UK children Go Online Report can be download at www.children-go-on-online.net.
Contact
Stephen Carrick-Davies – Childnet CEO on 0771 245 1859