Parental Involvement in Children’s Social Networking Activities

2 Methodology Conducted by Cross-Tab Marketing Services Online interviews conducted between August 10 and 16, ,051 respondents - parents of 5-17 year olds Parent has a child who accesses the Internet U.S. only Parents with more than one child aged 5-17 were asked to comment on their child who uses the Internet most frequently

3 Executive Summary Parents Are Involved and Aware

4 Executive Summary Yet, Many Parents Allow Kids to Have Accounts Before They Meet Minimum Age Requirements

5 Executive Summary Social Networking is Different for Boys and Girls

6 Executive Summary Social Networking is Different for Boys and Girls (Cont’d)

7 Executive Summary The Age of the Child Matters *Note: Sample size N = 26

8 Executive Summary Other Key Numbers

9 Recommendations Stay involved. For anyone on social networks:

10 Recommendations Follow the rules of social networking sites; if the minimum age to sign up is 13 and they’re younger, they’ll need to wait. Treat others as they would like to be treated, and beware what they share – not just about themselves, but friends and family, too. Be skeptical and trust their instincts; not everything they see online is true, nor is everyone who they say they are. Avoid contacting someone they don’t know, and don’t respond to people who make them feel uncomfortable. Say “no” to – and end contact with – any adult who wants to have a secret friendship. Never meet a social network (or any Internet) friend in person, unless a parent or trusted adult accompanies them. In addition, encourage kids to:

11 Helpful Resources General social networking tips: Kid-specific social networking guidance: General online safety tips: Helpful resources on safer social networking: Follow us onVisit us on Download Microsoft’s Safer Social Networking Brochure Download Microsoft’s Safer Social Networking Brochure

Appendix

13 67% Say Their Child has a Social Networking Account 89% are using Facebook, 31% use MySpace Q1. Does your child have a social networking account? TotalAge of Child Yes 67%35%30%40%84%90% No 32%65%69%59%14%7% Don’t Know 2%- 1%2% Base

14 Children Who Have a Social Networking Account Average age 12.7 years old Q1. Does your child have a social networking account?

15 7 in 10 Parents are Concerned About Social Networking Parental concern decreases as children get older Q2. How concerned are you about your child having a social networking account?

16 Most Children Ask for Permission to Open an Account Older children are less likely to ask permission

17 Parents Delay the Adoption of First Account The average delay is 8 months but varies by age of child Age of the child when asked for the account (Q5a.) Age of the child when got first account (Q5b) Total 5 to 7 yrs8 to 9 yrs10 to 12 yrs13 to 15 yrs16 to 17 yrsDon’t know 5-7 years1% 46% 0% 8-9 years5%38% 46% 0% 2% years35%15%48% 69% 2%0%16% years53%0%5%30% 95% 5%57% years5%0% 3% 95% 8% Don’t Know2%0%2%1%0% 16% Average Age Base

18 Facebook Accounts are Most Common Even among children under 13 Q3. What social networking sites do they typically use? Please select all that apply.

19 Children are Spending 7 Hrs/Week on Social Networking Girls spend more time on social networking than boys Age and gender of the child accessing the internet most* Total 10 to 12 yrs.13 to 15 yrs.16 to 17 yrs. BoysGirlsBoysGirlsBoysGirls 0-5 hrs.46%71%56%49%32%42%35% 6-10 hrs.31%14%32%35%34%27%31% 10 hrs. or more21%15%12%15%31%28%32% Don’t Know2%--1%3% 2% Average Base * Sample sizes for 5-9 year olds too small to report Q6. Approximately, how much time does your child spend on social networking sites each week?

20 Restrictions Focus on Shared/Posted Content Restrictions applied equally to girls and boys

21 Restrictions are Considered Very Effective Imposing time limits on teenage girls a challenge

22 67% of Parents Helped Child Set Up the Account Involved parents more likely to set restrictions

23 Nearly All Parents Discuss the Risks This is true regardless of the child’s age

24 Cyberbullying is the Least Discussed Topic While age is not a factor, gender is Discussed Cyberbullying 10 to 12 yrs.16 to 17 yrs. BoysGirlsBoysGirls Cyber- Bullying 45%59%38%47%

25 A Little Over Half Monitor Social Network Activity Only 10% use monitoring software

26 Parents Check Child’s Social Networking Activity Often 80% monitor activity at least once a week

27 Children’s Postings Cause Few Serious Consequences

28 Back to School is Not Raising Greater Concerns 70% have less or no more concern

29 6 in 10 Try to Verify the Existence of an Account

30 Parents Want Schools to Do More

31 Parents Feel They’re Responsible for Child’s Safety

32 Online Safety - Parents Look at Multiple Sources

33 68% of Parents Access Social Networking Sites One-third are online more than 10 hours/week Time Spent Online Per Week D4. About how many hours per week do you spend using the Internet for personal use [outside of work use]? D5. Which, if any, of the following types of Web sites do you access for your own personal use? N = 1051

© 2010 Microsoft Corporation. This material is provided for informational purposes only. Microsoft makes no warranty, express or implied.”