NEWS RELEASE
FOR RELEASE: JUNE 6 at 8 am (EST)
NEW CHALLENGES IN THE BATTLE TO KEEP KIDS SAFER ONLINE
Cox Communications and National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
Survey Shows Parents Gaining Ground, but Mobile and Connected Devices
Pose New Challenges in Internet Safety for Tweens
ATLANTA – June 6, 2012 – A new survey of Internet use by tweens (10 to 13 year olds) revealed that
parents are doing a good job monitoring their children’s online behavior, including talking to them and
setting guidelines and restrictions for Internet use on home computers. Yet there is room for improvement,
especially when it comes to keeping tweens safer when they use mobile and other connected devices.
Parents used to only have to worry about monitoring the home computer to keep their kids safer online.
But today, Internet use is doubling every two years, and kids have access to the Internet through mobile
devices, such as smartphones, handheld games, game consoles and tablets. The average family uses
five Internet-enabled devices at home.
The Tween Internet Safety Survey, commissioned by Cox Communications in partnership with the
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC), found that nearly all tweens (95 percent)
use mobile devices to go online.
Mobile devices and gaming consoles are widely used by tweens to access web content, and the survey
revealed a lack of guidelines and controls on these devices that can leave tweens vulnerable. While 68
percent of parents surveyed said they monitored their child’s Internet behavior on mobile devices, the
survey showed that only 1 in 5 (17 percent) actually use basic parental control features such as age
appropriate web content filtering on smartphones, tablets and game consoles.
“We applaud the efforts parents are making to keep their kids safe online, but we all must remain vigilant
and proactive when it comes to knowing what children are accessing on the web and the devices they are
using,” said Ernie Allen, NCMEC president and CEO. “Educating parents about the potential risks their
children face online and empowering them to take simple preventive steps is critical to helping keep
families safe.”
Unfamiliarity with parental controls and monitoring on mobile devices
Parents and tweens acknowledged that fewer controls exist on mobile devices and gaming consoles than
on computers. The survey revealed that many parents are not using the monitoring software and parental
control tools available on their tweens’ mobile devices because they are not familiar with how they work.
• 83 percent of tweens use a gaming console to access the Internet at home.
• 51 percent of the parents in the survey said they monitor their child’s Internet behavior on gaming
consoles.
• 65 percent of parents said they were aware of and knew how to use parental controls on mobile
devices and gaming consoles with Internet access.
Do parents really know what kids are doing online?
The survey results also showed a gap between what tweens are doing online and what their parents
believe they are doing.
• 82 percent of parents surveyed considered themselves very knowledgeable about what their
tween does online, and for the most part, believed their tween practices safe online behavior.
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However, many of the tweens surveyed admitted to engaging in risky online behavior, including
breaking the rules, accessing inappropriate content, and covering their tracks as they go; often
unbeknownst to parents.
o 44 percent admitted they’ve looked at or watched something online that their parents
wouldn’t approve of (Only 28 percent of parents were aware of this).
o 34 percent have lied to parents about what they’ve done online. (Only 18 percent of
parents were aware of this.)
Kids continue to face risks online
Many children are facing risks online without their parents’ knowledge.
• 42 percent have received a personal message from someone they didn’t know. (Only 22 percent
of parents were aware of this.)
• 17 percent have received an email or online message with pictures or words that made them feel
uncomfortable. (Only 7 percent of parents were aware of this.)
• 12 percent have already been bullied by someone online. (Only 6 percent of parents were aware
of this.)
What’s a parent to do?
Parents should keep talking to their tweens about Internet safety, but they should also use parental
controls, especially on mobile devices that can be taken beyond the watchful eyes of parents. Parents
also should visit www.cox.com/takecharge for tips they can use to help them take charge of what their
kids see and don’t see online.
About The Tween Internet Safety Survey
The survey included both tweens and parents of tweens, addressed habits of tweens online, and
examined any gaps between what tweens are doing and what parents generally believe their kids are
doing online. The survey also was designed to measure how well parents are doing at monitoring
Internet use on mobile devices, such as iPads, gaming devices, smart phones and other Internet-enabled
devices in the home. The interviews were conducted April 6 through April 19, 2012, on behalf of Cox
Communications in partnership with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. For more
information on the Tween Internet Safety Survey, please visit the Cox Take Charge! website at cox.com/
takecharge.
Activities
To raise awareness about the issues raised by the Tween Internet Safety Survey, Cox will be hosting a
series of events during June’s National Internet Safety Month, including a satellite media tour and
Facebook Chat with child advocate John Walsh on June 6; and a “Tweet Up” on June 28, in which Walsh
will answer questions from bloggers. Cox also will produce a series of public service announcements that
direct parents to the Take Charge! web pages, where they can find tips and tools to keep their kids safer
online.
About Cox Communications:
Cox Communications is a broadband communications and entertainment company, providing advanced
digital video, Internet and telephone services over its own nationwide IP network. The third-largest U.S.
cable TV company, Cox serves approximately 6 million residences and businesses. Cox Business is a
facilities-based provider of voice, video and data solutions for commercial customers, and Cox Media is a
full-service provider of national and local cable spot and new media advertising. Cox is known for its
pioneering efforts in cable telephone and commercial services, industry-leading customer care and its
outstanding workplaces. For seven years, Cox has been recognized as the top operator for women by
Women in Cable Telecommunications; Cox has ranked among DiversityInc's Top 50 Companies for
NEWS RELEASE
Diversity seven times, including the last six years. More information about Cox Communications, a wholly
owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, is available at www.cox.com and www.coxmedia.com.
About the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children:
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization established in
1984. Designated by Congress to serve as the nation’s clearinghouse, the organization has operated the
toll-free 24-hour national missing children’s hotline which has handled more than 3,568,780 calls. It has
assisted law enforcement in the recovery of more than 175,230 children. The organization’s CyberTipline
has handled more than 1,428,420 reports of child sexual exploitation and its Child Victim Identification
Program has reviewed and analyzed more than 69,415,210 child pornography images and videos. The
organization works in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Justice’s office of Juvenile Justice and
Delinquency Prevention. To learn more about NCMEC, call its toll-free, 24-hour hotline at 1-800-THELOST or visit its web site at www.missingkids.com.
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Media Contacts
Cox Communications:
Todd Smith
Director, Media Relations
Office: 404-269-3124
Mobile: 678-362-8346
Email: [email protected]
Derrick Hinmon
Public Relations Manager
Office: 404-269-3699
Mobile: 404-849-7242
Email: [email protected]
National Center for Missing &
Exploited Children
703-837-6111
[email protected]