Webroot Software, Inc., a leading provider of security software for the consumer, enterprise and SMB markets, today announced research that shows a disconnect between parents and their children regarding Internet usage. The Webroot(R) State of Internet Security Report, which corroborates existing concerns regarding the online activities of children ages 5 to 17, uncovers a number of discrepancies among children's self-reported online activities versus what parents believe them to be. The report further discusses potential legal implications and security risks parents may face due to their children's online behavior and best practices for ensuring a safe online experience for children.
BOULDER, Colo. (BusinessWire EON) May 23, 2007 --
Webroot Software, Inc., a leading
provider of security software for the consumer, enterprise and SMB
markets, today announced research that shows a disconnect between
parents and their children regarding Internet usage. The
Webroot® State of Internet Security Report,
which corroborates existing concerns regarding the online activities of
children ages 5 to 17, uncovers a number of discrepancies among children’s
self-reported online activities versus what parents believe them to be.
The report further discusses potential legal implications and security
risks parents may face due to their children’s
online behavior and best practices for ensuring a safe online experience
for children.
“These discrepancies, while not shocking for
many parents, are concerning. Without proper parental guidance, children
can put themselves at risk, compromise valuable family information, or
be the sources of bad behavior like illegally downloading videos or
music or bullying,” said Mike Irwin, COO,
Webroot Software. “The good news here is that
these potential problems can be largely avoided if parents apply the
same vigilance to the online world as in the ‘offline’
world. Direct and ongoing conversations with our kids, and establishing
guidelines with the help of the right technology, will go a long way in
supporting good judgment.”
Internet Disconnect
While more than 70 percent of the children surveyed (ages 11 to 17) said
their parents ask them about their online activities, the Webroot
State of Internet Security Report unveiled a number of significant
differences between child Internet activities compared to parent
perception.
-
Forty-five percent of children surveyed say they spend an average of
three or more hours on the Internet daily while, according to the
National Center for Education Statistics, 61 percent of all 13
year-olds spend one hour or less on homework; 76 percent of parents
believe their children spend an average of two hours or less on the
Internet.
-
Forty percent of the children utilize instant messaging and social
networking websites, such as MySpace® and
Facebook® everyday; only 30 percent of the
parents surveyed believe their children use these sites.
-
More than half of the children said they buy things online; 71 percent
of parents said their children never buy over the Internet.
Parents’
Online Concerns
The report also found that parents and guardians, of children ages 5 to
17, are understandably concerned about the risks associated with
Internet usage including exposure to online predators and pornography.
-
Forty-three percent of teens surveyed who use social networking sites
reported an invitation via the Internet to meet someone they did not
know within the past year.
-
Nearly 40 percent of children ages 11 to 17 reported they received a
sexually explicit email or pop-up advertisement within the past year.
Nearly 100 percent of the children surveyed utilize email.
With all of the challenges parents face in protecting their children,
they must also remember to protect themselves. The
Consumer Reports® “State
of the Net Survey” found that in homes
where children under 18 used the Internet, there was a 28 percent
increase in spyware infections in the preceding six months.
“Not only do parents need to be concerned
about teaching their children about online safety, but they need to
protect themselves as well as their home computing systems. Parents are
leaving themselves open to cyber criminals and putting their personal
data at risk if their child unknowingly, or even knowingly, engages in
dangerous activity or chat while on social networking sites, malware
infected sites, clicking on random links, or opening email from
strangers,” added Irwin. “And,
it’s just as important that parents realize
their responsibility if their child engages in hacking, bullying or
trademark or copyright violations committed by their children when
illegally downloading music or videos. A little awareness can be very
helpful.”
Webroot issues reports on a quarterly basis to provide an in–depth
review and analysis of the most pressing computer and data
security-related concerns. “The
State of Internet Security: Protecting Children Online”
includes surveys from more than 600 children and 600 parents within the
United States in addition to a variety of industry resources.
The complete State of Internet Security report is available at: http://www.webroot.com/pdf/Webroot_SoIS_Q0207.pdf
ABOUT WEBROOT
Webroot Software, Inc. provides
industry leading security software for consumers, enterprises and small
and medium-sized businesses worldwide. Globally recognized for its
award-winning Spy
Sweeper® line of anti-spyware products,
Webroot recently incorporated anti-virus protection into two new
products for consumers and SMBs, respectively: Spy
Sweeper with AntiVirus software and Webroot
SME Security software. The company also recently expanded into the
parental controls software market with the introduction of Webroot
Child Safe® software. The Boulder,
Colorado based company is privately held and backed by some of the
industry's leading venture capital firms, including Technology
Crossover Ventures, Accel Partners
and Mayfield. Webroot's software
consistently receives top review ratings by respected third-party media
and has been adopted by millions globally. Available as either branded
solutions or on an OEM basis, Webroot products can be found at www.webroot.com
and on the shelves of leading retailers worldwide. To find out more
about Webroot, visit the website or call 1-800-772-9383.
©2007 Webroot Software, Inc. All rights
reserved. Webroot, Spy Sweeper, and Child Safe are registered trademarks
or trademarks of Webroot Software, Inc. All other trademarks are
properties of their respective owners.
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