A study released by the Annenburg Public Policy Center reveals that parents are torn between the positive and negative effects of the Internet. The results are based on 1,102 interviews with parents of 8-17 year olds with computer access in the home.
78 per cent of parents are "strongly" or "somewhat" fearful that their children might reveal personal information on the Internet.
78 per cent of parents fear their children might view sexually explicit material on the Internet.
64 per cent of parents believe that the Internet can have an isolating effect on their children.
35 per cent of parents feel the Internet can have a community-building influence.
49 per cent claim that Internet use would interfere with their ability to teach morals and values to their children.
42 per cent think that too much Internet use can lead to the development of anti-social behaviour in children.
59 per cent of parents maintain that children without Internet access are at a disadvantage.
75 per cent of parents think the Internet is a place for children to discover fascinating, useful things.
72 per cent of parents surveyed think the Internet is helpful for children's schoolwork.
32 per cent of families with an Internet connection are using filtering software.
The second part of the study analyzed news stories over a one year period, and found that sex crimes regarding children were featured in 25 per cent of Internet news stories, and two-thirds of Internet news stories focused on the negative aspects of the Internet, such as pornography and issues of privacy.
Source:The Annenburg Public Policy Center, May 4, 1999.
