Internet Generation Gap

An Analysis of Student Assessments and Parent Surveys from an Active Learning e-Safety Environment

Focus: Recent survey statistics, which expose discrepancies between youth and parent responses to questions about Internet behavior, have documented the existence of an Internet generation gap. Previously there has been no data to evaluate baseline Internet behaviors of youth, parent perceptions of their children’s Internet usage, and the impact of e-Safety education on behavioral change.

As part of its unique Education and Outreach Initiative, assessment data from i-SAFE Inc. provide a profile of these elements and uncover danger signs created by this gap.

PARENT’S INTERNET ASSUMPTIONS*

• 93% of parents feel they know “some” or “a lot” about where their children go or what their children do on the Internet.
• 88% of parents stated they had established rules for their child’s Internet activity.
• 36% of parents reported knowing their children are members of social-networking Web sites (e.g., Facebook, Xanga, MySpace, etc.).

YOUTH PERCEPTIONS / BEHAVIORS REGARDING THE INTERNET**

• 74% of students do not share what they do or where they go on the Internet with their parents.
• 38% said their parents have not established rules for their Internet activity.
• 57% of students are members of social-networking sites.

*More than 3200 parents surveyed (2006-07)

**Approximately 35,000 (grades 5-12) responded to NAC (2006-07) survey from all 50 states

What is the Gap?

Analyses of i-SAFE assessments and surveys indicate a noteworthy difference between parent and student perceptions about general safety on the Internet, and reported student Internet usage and conceptions about the consequences of that usage.

Based on the survey results, the overwhelming majority of parents indicate that they have established rules regarding Internet use for their children and families. In analyzing the student assessment surveys, i-SAFE found a discrepancy in that students surveyed report just the opposite. Nearly 9 of 10 (88%) parents surveyed indicated they have established Internet activity rules for their children, while 38% of students surveyed indicated that their parents had not established Internet activity rules.

Internet Generation Gap  (You are Here)

Why is the Generation Gap Important?

The Evolution of Predators  

Dangers Kids and Teens Face Online

e-Safety for the Youth of America 

Communication is the Key 

Computers in the Bedroom