Internet Poses Greater Danger to Kids During Summertime
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64% of children surveyed will use the internet unsupervised during the school holidays
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48% of children intend to use the internet more in the holidays than during term time
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59% of children will use chatrooms or Instant Messenger to chat online during the holidays
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36% of children have made new friends online, 46% of these children would agree to meet up with them over the summer
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4% would do so without their parents’ knowledge
A survey1 of British children and their parents carried out for leading electrical retailer, Comet, has revealed that internet usage amongst children dramatically increases over the summer holidays, and with it the risk of exposure to unsuitable material and inappropriate adults.
John Carr, Internet Advisor and expert on fighting child abuse online, comments: “I welcome the timely findings of this study. The long summer holidays are exactly the time of year when parents need to be extra vigilant about their child’s online activities. Parents are worried about their children’s safety when they play outside or are away from home when, in actual fact, these survey results show children can be equally at risk when playing indoors as they can outdoors.”
In response to the survey findings, Comet is now offering a one year subscription to CyberPatrol, the market-leading parental control software, free with every purchase of a computer to help safeguard against the many threats children face online.
Heavy usage
The Comet survey reveals access to the internet is now virtually universal – only 1% of parents surveyed said their child will not use the internet during the holidays.
Almost half of the children surveyed, 45%, already use the internet on average between 1 – 9 hours per week, 14% use the internet on average between 9 – 20 hours a week during term time. However, almost half of the children surveyed, 48%, said they will spend more time on the net in the holidays than during term time - of those children, 58% said they would use the internet ‘a lot more’ over the summer.
PC not TV
‘Using the computer’ (16%) was the second most popular summer activity given by children, second only to ‘going out with friends’ (39%). Using the computer was preferred to watching TV, playing sports or playing outside.
In terms of what children like to do on their computers, 73% of these children like to browse the net for fun, 62% use their PC to send and receive emails whilst 59% use chatrooms and Instant Messenger.
Lack of supervision
Virtually two thirds of children surveyed, 64%, said that they will use the internet unsupervised during the summer holidays.
These findings are worrying because a government study of 1,511 children and young people aged 9 - 19 published earlier this year2 showed that almost half of children, 46%, have divulged personal information online thus potentially putting themselves at risk.
The government study confirmed that 69% of 9 – 17 year olds resent parents restricting or monitoring their internet use and that 63% of 12 – 19 year olds have hidden their online activities from their parents.
Online friends
The Comet survey revealed that 36% of children have made new friends online. Of those children, 86% said they will chat to their new friends online over the summer and 46% confirmed they would agree to meet these new friends in person if asked. Worryingly, 4% of these children said they would meet their new online friends without their parents’ knowledge.
Peter Robbins, CEO from the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) adds: "Many young people do not apply reasoned thinking skills to online content. Research has shown that while awareness of risks is higher among parents, there still remains a lot of confusion about what to do about the risks. Parents need more practical advice and guidance in getting the most out of the internet and this initiative by Comet is a positive step to enabling parents and carers to protect their children online."
Comet’s commitment to internet safety - free safety software with every PC
For several years, Comet has been the only retailer to pre-load its own-brand computers with CyberPatrol, the market-leading parental control software. CyberPatrol is the most comprehensive parental control software available and is relied upon and trusted by parents and schools worldwide to protect children online. Now Comet is extending its offer to give a FREE one year subscription – worth £25.79 - with every PC bought in order to help parents keep their children safe when using the internet.3
In addition, Comet will be distributing free leaflets in every store containing guidance on internet safety throughout the summer holidays, this leaflet is also available online. To find the location of your nearest Comet store or to download advice on internet safety, log onto www.comet.co.uk/internetsafety.
Bill Moir, Comet’s Head of Computing, comments: “We’ve supported internet safety for many years now but are aware that there is still a mountain to climb when it comes to educating parents and children about how to stay safe when using the net. As a responsible retailer, we feel it is imperative to help give parents the tools to help keep their families safe online which is why we’re now offering free internet safety software with every PC purchase.”
Kids - Follow the Comet Digicode and stay safe on the net !
Comet’s ‘Digicode’ is a simple reminder for children to help keep them safe:
D on’t give out personal details
I f someone asks your name, always get the OK from your parents/carer
G uard your passwords, keep them secret
I t’s important to tell your parents/carers anything that worries you
C heck with a trusted grown-up before entering chatrooms
O nline friends are fab but take a grown-up along if you’re meeting up with them
D elete emails from anyone you don’t recognize, especially attachments
E njoy the internet but be safe!
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Comet spokespersons available for comment. For more information, please contact Valerie Rushton, Sara Diamond, Cara Davies or Fiona Hardman at EHPR on 07000 425 425, email comet.pressdesk@ehpr.co.uk
Note to Editors:
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Survey of 623 British children aged 10 – 16 and their parents carried out online by YouGov in May 2005 for Comet
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Survey results from a two year study of 1,500 nine to 19 year olds by the London School of Economics
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CyberPatrol 12 month free offer subject to availability while stocks last
- Comet has more than 250 stores throughout the UK which offer a wide range of the most up to date home electricals at ‘Every Day Low Prices’. On average 34,000 competitor prices are checked every week to ensure that the lowest prices are maintained.
- Comet customers can also shop by telephone on 08705 425 425, online at www.comet.co.uk or log on to the UK’s first major retail auction website at www.clearance-comet.co.uk.
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CyberPatrol is the market-leading parental control software from SurfControl, the world’s number one web and email filtering company. For further information and news on CyberPatrol, please visit www.cyberpatrol.com
Created: Fri, July 15th, 2005 | Last Modified: Thu, October 27th, 2005
