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http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking+News/Singapore/Story/STIStory_386280.html
Kids online: Parents clueless
Survey shows many ignorant of their kids' cyber activities; they think 'my children are OK'
By Serene Luo
The survey found that parents here think their children are online for 10 hours a week, while their children responded that they are online for 18 hours. -- ST FILE PHOTO
THERE is still a chasm between what parents think their children are doing online and what the kids are really up to, a new survey has found.
The findings reinforce the trend of past years - many parents are still clueless about how to set rules and watch out for their children's interests when it comes to the Internet and new media.
The Norton Online Living Family Survey, conducted globally but with a specific segment for Singapore, found that parents or guardians here thought their children were online for just 10 hours weekly.
In fact, child respondents said they were online for almost twice that, an average of 18 hours weekly.
About 400 people were surveyed in Singapore in April and May by research firm Saffron Hill, in a study commissioned by Internet security firm Symantec.
Other findings:
About 74 per cent of parents said their children do not chat online with strangers. But 48 per cent of child respondents said they chatted with strangers online more than once a week.
About 90 per cent of parents said their children do not reveal personal details such as home address, mobile phone numbers or birth dates online. But about 43 per cent of young respondents do share such details.
Just 2 per cent of parents said their children have viewed porn online. But 20 per cent of child respondents said they had looked at pornographic websites.
Symantec spokesman Effendy Ibrahim, who is also its Internet safety advocate, said the Singapore results mirrored global trends, including those for countries such as Sweden, the United States and Japan.
The founder of the Coalition Against Bullying for Children and Youth (Cabcy) in Singapore, Ms Esther Ng, said the survey findings were similar to two others done last year, including one by her organisation that surveyed more than 1,200 children.
Read the full story in Friday's edition of The Straits Times.
Help for parents
The Hougang Sheng Hong Family Service Centre is organising a support group for parents whose children have Internet and gaming problems. The sessions begin on June 23. Call 6289-5022 for details.
Touch Community Services runs cyberwellness programmes. Visit www.planetcrush.org for resources such as a guide to games or handbooks about the Internet. Alternatively, parents can call its helpline on 1800-377-2252 on weekdays from 9am to 6pm for advice.
Internet security company Symantec has a computer service that controls what children can and cannot view on the Internet according to their ages. Parents are alerted if they flout the rules. It is offered free until Jan 1 next year. Visit http://onlinefamily.norton.com
Get electronic consultations about cyberbullying from the Coalition Against Bullying for Children and Youth. Visit www.hrtd.com.sg/cabcy for details.
Kids online: Parents clueless
Survey shows many ignorant of their kids' cyber activities; they think 'my children are OK'
By Serene Luo
The survey found that parents here think their children are online for 10 hours a week, while their children responded that they are online for 18 hours. -- ST FILE PHOTO
THERE is still a chasm between what parents think their children are doing online and what the kids are really up to, a new survey has found.
The findings reinforce the trend of past years - many parents are still clueless about how to set rules and watch out for their children's interests when it comes to the Internet and new media.
The Norton Online Living Family Survey, conducted globally but with a specific segment for Singapore, found that parents or guardians here thought their children were online for just 10 hours weekly.
In fact, child respondents said they were online for almost twice that, an average of 18 hours weekly.
About 400 people were surveyed in Singapore in April and May by research firm Saffron Hill, in a study commissioned by Internet security firm Symantec.
Other findings:
About 74 per cent of parents said their children do not chat online with strangers. But 48 per cent of child respondents said they chatted with strangers online more than once a week.
About 90 per cent of parents said their children do not reveal personal details such as home address, mobile phone numbers or birth dates online. But about 43 per cent of young respondents do share such details.
Just 2 per cent of parents said their children have viewed porn online. But 20 per cent of child respondents said they had looked at pornographic websites.
Symantec spokesman Effendy Ibrahim, who is also its Internet safety advocate, said the Singapore results mirrored global trends, including those for countries such as Sweden, the United States and Japan.
The founder of the Coalition Against Bullying for Children and Youth (Cabcy) in Singapore, Ms Esther Ng, said the survey findings were similar to two others done last year, including one by her organisation that surveyed more than 1,200 children.
Read the full story in Friday's edition of The Straits Times.
Help for parents
The Hougang Sheng Hong Family Service Centre is organising a support group for parents whose children have Internet and gaming problems. The sessions begin on June 23. Call 6289-5022 for details.
Touch Community Services runs cyberwellness programmes. Visit www.planetcrush.org for resources such as a guide to games or handbooks about the Internet. Alternatively, parents can call its helpline on 1800-377-2252 on weekdays from 9am to 6pm for advice.
Internet security company Symantec has a computer service that controls what children can and cannot view on the Internet according to their ages. Parents are alerted if they flout the rules. It is offered free until Jan 1 next year. Visit http://onlinefamily.norton.com
Get electronic consultations about cyberbullying from the Coalition Against Bullying for Children and Youth. Visit www.hrtd.com.sg/cabcy for details.
