FACTS & figures
THE REALITIES OF
CYBER PARENTING
What Pre-teens and Teens Are Up to Online
A s children and teens are spending more of their time online,
it is increasingly important parents are aware of their
behavior to help protect them from the potential risks and
consequences. This year’s study of more than 1,000 American parents
and 1,000 teens/pre-teens reveals that parents are most concerned
with their kids unknowingly interacting with online predators.

This concern seems to have validity; 27 percent of teen/pre-teen
respondents indicated that they have met or would meet someone
in person who they first met online.

Additionally, parents still seem to have the “not my child” mentality.

While 94 percent of parents say they are aware of their child’s online
behavior, 35 percent of kids admit to bullying others. The tweens and
teens surveyed admitted they made fun of other people to someone
else (19 percent), called someone fat or ugly or made fun of other
physical appearances (16 percent), and tagged mean pictures or
threatened someone (10 percent). To help ensure kids are growing
up to be responsible digital citizens, parents must closely monitor
their actions on the Internet, particularly on social media, and have
frequent and open talks about what type of behavior is acceptable
and what will not be tolerated.

TO TRUST OR NOT TRUST
14% of parents say that they would
not monitor their children’s activity
across devices while 86% would
More than 77% of the parents who
would not monitor the child’s online
activities indicate that they don’t feel
it is necessary
51% of the parents who would
not monitor the child’s online
activities say it is because they
feel it is a breach of trust with
their child
When it comes to their child’s online activity,
parents are most interested in:
Unknowingly interact
with predators/
pedophiles Other
Cyberbullying other kids
11% 28%
7% Being
cyberbullied Posting
intimate photos
8% 11%
14% 84% of parents tell
their child when they
attempt to find out
what their child is
doing online
13% of the parents
think their child has
ever cyberbullied
someone else
Sharing personal information such
as home address or phone number
21% Interacting with
strangers