Most parents are aware of parental controls, and more than half of parents have used parental controls for children’s Internet use, according to a survey from the Family Online Safety Institute.

by Rune H. Rasmussen

A recent nationwide telephone survey, performed by Hart Research Associates on behalf of the Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI), shows that 87 per cent of parents are aware of parental controls, and that 53 per cent say they have used them in order to control their children’s online activities. 702 parents of children ages 8-17 were polled in the survey.

Key findings, as described in the Executive Summary, include:

• Parents are aware: 87 per cent of parents are aware of at least one of the five types of parental controls tested in the survey: a tool or program offered by a software company, Internet service provider, a wireless company, a search engine, or video game. 53 per cent of parents report using some type of parental control for Internet use. The use of parental controls is highest among parents with post-graduate education, parents who use social media and those under the age of 40.

• Parents are concerned: Although not all use parental controls, most parents express concern about various online activities. The top concern is that children are receiving sexually explicit information or pictures (70 per cent).

• Parents are getting involved: Among parents who have not used parental controls, the most common reason given for not using them (60 per cent) is that parents believe they are not necessary because they have their own rules and limits in place regarding Internet use. However, nearly all parents (93 per cent) say they have set rules or limits to monitor their children's online usage. These rules include requiring children to only use the computer in a certain area of the house (79 per cent), limiting the amount of time a child can spend online (75 per cent), setting rules for the times of day a child can be online (74 per cent), and establishing time limits for use of a child's mobile phone (59 per cent).

• Parents are looking to the future: Recognising that computers are no longer the only way children access the Internet, 32 per cent of parents whose children access the Internet using a smartphone feel very knowledgeable about protecting children's safety and privacy on smartphones, and another 23 per cent feel fairly knowledgeable. Meanwhile, 35 per cent of parents whose children access the Internet on a gaming console feel very knowledgeable about protecting children's safety and privacy on gaming consoles, and another 27 per cent feel fairly knowledgeable.

Encouraging results
"Access to the Internet and all it offers is crucial for preparing today's youth for the 21st century," said Kim Sanchez, Chairman of the FOSI Board of Directors and Director of Privacy and Online Safety at Microsoft Corporation. "The survey results are encouraging because parents believe they have the tools necessary for their children to safely navigate the digital world."

"We're encouraged to see how many parents already have rules and tools in place to keep their kids safe online," said Stephen Balkam, CEO of FOSI. "Of course, more needs to be done and we will continue to work with government, industry and non-profit groups to spread the word and encourage safe and responsible online use."

Read more:

Executive Summary:  Who Needs Parental Controls? A Survey of Awareness, Attitudes, And Use of Online Parental Controls (PDF)

Source:

Family Online Safety Institute