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Risks and safety for Australian children on the internet Cover

Risks and safety for Australian children on the internet

Cultural Science
Volume 4 (2011): Issue 1 (January 2011)
By: Lelia Green,  Danielle Brady,  Kjartan Ólafsson,  John Hartley and  Catharine Lumby  
Open Access
|Jan 2011

Figures & Tables

Figure 1

Relating online use, activities and risk factors to harm to childrenLivingstone, S., Haddon, L., Görzig, A., and Ólafsson, K., (2011). Risks and safety on the internet: The perspective of European children. Full findings Available at www.eukidsonline.net (p. 15)
Relating online use, activities and risk factors to harm to childrenLivingstone, S., Haddon, L., Görzig, A., and Ólafsson, K., (2011). Risks and safety on the internet: The perspective of European children. Full findings Available at www.eukidsonline.net (p. 15)

Figure 2

Children’s use of internet at home QC301a, b: Looking at this card, please tell me where you use the internet these days. Base: All children who use the internet.
Children’s use of internet at home QC301a, b: Looking at this card, please tell me where you use the internet these days. Base: All children who use the internet.

Figure 3

Child accesses the internet using a mobile phone or a handheld device QC300h, e: Which of these devices do you use for the internet these days? In Figure 2, the percentage for ‘mobile phone’ may overlap with handheld device as multiple responses were allowed. In Figure 3, these are recalculated as mutually exclusive. Base: All children who use the internet.
Child accesses the internet using a mobile phone or a handheld device QC300h, e: Which of these devices do you use for the internet these days? In Figure 2, the percentage for ‘mobile phone’ may overlap with handheld device as multiple responses were allowed. In Figure 3, these are recalculated as mutually exclusive. Base: All children who use the internet.

Figure 4

How often children use the internet QC303: How often do you use the internet? Base: All children who use the internet.
How often children use the internet QC303: How often do you use the internet? Base: All children who use the internet.

Figure 5

How long children use the internet for on an average day (in minutes) Derived from QC304 and QC305: About how long do you spend using the internet on a normal school day / normal non-school day? Base: All children who use the internet.
How long children use the internet for on an average day (in minutes) Derived from QC304 and QC305: About how long do you spend using the internet on a normal school day / normal non-school day? Base: All children who use the internet.

Figure 6

"I know more about the internet than my parents" QC319a: How true are these of you? I know more about the internet than my parents. Please answer not true, a bit true or very true.
"I know more about the internet than my parents" QC319a: How true are these of you? I know more about the internet than my parents. Please answer not true, a bit true or very true.

Figure 7

Excessive use of the internet among children (age 11+) QC144a-e: How often have these things happened to you? Base: All children aged 11-16 who use the internet.
Excessive use of the internet among children (age 11+) QC144a-e: How often have these things happened to you? Base: All children aged 11-16 who use the internet.

Figure 8

“There are lots of things on the internet that are good for children of my age” QC319c: There are lots of things on the internet that are good for children of my age. Response options: very true, a bit true, not true. Base: All children who use the internet.
“There are lots of things on the internet that are good for children of my age” QC319c: There are lots of things on the internet that are good for children of my age. Response options: very true, a bit true, not true. Base: All children who use the internet.

Figure 9

Children who have a profile on a social networking site QC313: Do you have your OWN profile on a social networking site that you currently use, or not? Base: All children who use the internet.
Children who have a profile on a social networking site QC313: Do you have your OWN profile on a social networking site that you currently use, or not? Base: All children who use the internet.

Figure 10

Children’s use of privacy settings on their social networking profile QC317: Is your profile set to …? Public, so that everyone can see; partially private, so that friends of friends or your networks can see; private so that only your friends can see; don’t know. Base: All children who have a profile on a social networking site.
Children’s use of privacy settings on their social networking profile QC317: Is your profile set to …? Public, so that everyone can see; partially private, so that friends of friends or your networks can see; private so that only your friends can see; don’t know. Base: All children who have a profile on a social networking site.

Figure 11

Online and offline communication compared (% 11+ who say a bit true or very true) QC103: How true are these of you? Percentage who said ‘A bit true’ or ‘Very true’ Base: All children aged 11-16 who use the internet.
Online and offline communication compared (% 11+ who say a bit true or very true) QC103: How true are these of you? Percentage who said ‘A bit true’ or ‘Very true’ Base: All children aged 11-16 who use the internet.

Figure 12

Nature of children’s online contacts (11+) QC310: I’d like you to tell me the types of people you have had contact with when doing each of these things. Response options: people who you first met in person face to face; people who you first met on the internet, but who are friends or family of other people you know in person; people who you first met on the internet, but who have no other connection to your life outside of the internet. (Multiple responses allowed) Base: All children aged 11-16 who use internet and have given at least one valid response about the nature of their online contacts.
Nature of children’s online contacts (11+) QC310: I’d like you to tell me the types of people you have had contact with when doing each of these things. Response options: people who you first met in person face to face; people who you first met on the internet, but who are friends or family of other people you know in person; people who you first met on the internet, but who have no other connection to your life outside of the internet. (Multiple responses allowed) Base: All children aged 11-16 who use internet and have given at least one valid response about the nature of their online contacts.

Figure 13

Online experiences that have bothered children, according to child and parent QC110: In the PAST 12 MONTHS, have you seen or experienced something on the internet that has bothered you in some way? For example, made you feel uncomfortable, upset, or feel that you shouldn’t have seen it. QP228: As far as you are aware, in the past year, has your child seen or experienced something on the internet that has bothered them in some way? QC322: Do you think there are things on the internet that people about your age will be bothered by in any way? Base: All children who use the internet and one of their parents.
Online experiences that have bothered children, according to child and parent QC110: In the PAST 12 MONTHS, have you seen or experienced something on the internet that has bothered you in some way? For example, made you feel uncomfortable, upset, or feel that you shouldn’t have seen it. QP228: As far as you are aware, in the past year, has your child seen or experienced something on the internet that has bothered them in some way? QC322: Do you think there are things on the internet that people about your age will be bothered by in any way? Base: All children who use the internet and one of their parents.

Figure 14

Child has seen sexual images online or offline in past 12 months QC128: Have you seen anything of this kind [obviously sexual] in the past 12 month? QC129: How often have you seen [images, photos, videos that are obviously sexual] in the past 12 months. Base: All children who use the internet.
Child has seen sexual images online or offline in past 12 months QC128: Have you seen anything of this kind [obviously sexual] in the past 12 month? QC129: How often have you seen [images, photos, videos that are obviously sexual] in the past 12 months. Base: All children who use the internet.

Figure 15

Child has seen sexual images online and was bothered by this QC131: Have you seen these kinds of things on any websites in the past 12 months? And QC134: In the LAST 12 MONTHS have you seen any things like this that have bothered you in any way? For example, made you feel uncomfortable, upset, or feel that you shouldn’t have seen them. Base: All children who use the internet. Only children who have seen sexual images online.
Child has seen sexual images online and was bothered by this QC131: Have you seen these kinds of things on any websites in the past 12 months? And QC134: In the LAST 12 MONTHS have you seen any things like this that have bothered you in any way? For example, made you feel uncomfortable, upset, or feel that you shouldn’t have seen them. Base: All children who use the internet. Only children who have seen sexual images online.

Figure 16

Child has been bullied online or offline in past 12 months QC112: Has someone acted in this kind of hurtful or nasty way to you in the past 12 months? QC113: How often has someone acted in this kind [hurtful and nasty] way towards you in the past 12 months? Base: All children who use the internet.
Child has been bullied online or offline in past 12 months QC112: Has someone acted in this kind of hurtful or nasty way to you in the past 12 months? QC113: How often has someone acted in this kind [hurtful and nasty] way towards you in the past 12 months? Base: All children who use the internet.

Figure 17

Child has bullied others online or offline in past 12 months QC125: Have you acted in a way that might have felt hurtful or nasty to someone else in the past 12 months? QC126: How often have you acted in this kind [hurtful and nasty] way in the past 12 months? Base: All children who use the internet.
Child has bullied others online or offline in past 12 months QC125: Have you acted in a way that might have felt hurtful or nasty to someone else in the past 12 months? QC126: How often have you acted in this kind [hurtful and nasty] way in the past 12 months? Base: All children who use the internet.

Figure 18

Child has seen or received sexual messages online in past 12 months (age 11+) QC167: In the past 12 months have you seen or received sexual messages of any kind on the internet? QC168: How often have you received sexual messages of any kind on the internet in the past 12 months? This could be words, pictures or videos. Base: All children aged 11-16 who use the internet.
Child has seen or received sexual messages online in past 12 months (age 11+) QC167: In the past 12 months have you seen or received sexual messages of any kind on the internet? QC168: How often have you received sexual messages of any kind on the internet in the past 12 months? This could be words, pictures or videos. Base: All children aged 11-16 who use the internet.

Figure 19

Child has seen or received sexual messages in past 12 months and was bothered (age 11+) QC167: In the past 12 months have you seen or received sexual messages of any kind on the internet? This could be words, pictures or videos. QC171: In the last 12 months, has any sexual message that you have seen or received bothered you in any way? Base: All children age 11-16 who use the internet. Children who have seen or received sexual messages online in the past 12 months.
Child has seen or received sexual messages in past 12 months and was bothered (age 11+) QC167: In the past 12 months have you seen or received sexual messages of any kind on the internet? This could be words, pictures or videos. QC171: In the last 12 months, has any sexual message that you have seen or received bothered you in any way? Base: All children age 11-16 who use the internet. Children who have seen or received sexual messages online in the past 12 months.

Figure 20

Child has communicated online or gone to an offline meeting with someone not met face to face QC147: Can I just check, have you ever had contact on the internet with someone you have not met face to face before? QC148: Have you ever gone on to meet anyone face to face that you first met on the internet in this way. Base: All children who use the internet.
Child has communicated online or gone to an offline meeting with someone not met face to face QC147: Can I just check, have you ever had contact on the internet with someone you have not met face to face before? QC148: Have you ever gone on to meet anyone face to face that you first met on the internet in this way. Base: All children who use the internet.

Figure 21

Parent’s active mediation of the child’s internet use, according to child and parent QC327 and QP220: Does your parents/do either of your parents sometimes [which of the following things, if any do you (or your partner/other carer) sometimes do with your child]… Base: All children who use the internet and one of their parents.
Parent’s active mediation of the child’s internet use, according to child and parent QC327 and QP220: Does your parents/do either of your parents sometimes [which of the following things, if any do you (or your partner/other carer) sometimes do with your child]… Base: All children who use the internet and one of their parents.

Figure 22

Parent’s active mediation of the child’s internet safety, according to child and parent QC329 and QP222: Has your parent/either of your parents [have you] ever done any of these things with you [your child]? Base: All children who use the internet and one of their parents.
Parent’s active mediation of the child’s internet safety, according to child and parent QC329 and QP222: Has your parent/either of your parents [have you] ever done any of these things with you [your child]? Base: All children who use the internet and one of their parents.

Figure 23

Parents’ restrictive mediation of the child’s internet use, according to child and parent QC328 and QP221: Whether your parents let you [your child is allowed to] do this all of the time, only with permission/supervision or never allowed. Note: The latter two options are combined to calculate the percentage for whom rules or restrictions apply. Base: All children who use the internet and one of their parents.
Parents’ restrictive mediation of the child’s internet use, according to child and parent QC328 and QP221: Whether your parents let you [your child is allowed to] do this all of the time, only with permission/supervision or never allowed. Note: The latter two options are combined to calculate the percentage for whom rules or restrictions apply. Base: All children who use the internet and one of their parents.

Figure 24

Parent’s monitoring of the child’s internet use, according to child and parent QC330 and QP223: Does your parent/either of your parents sometimes check any of the following things? Base: All children who use the internet at home and one of their parents.
Parent’s monitoring of the child’s internet use, according to child and parent QC330 and QP223: Does your parent/either of your parents sometimes check any of the following things? Base: All children who use the internet at home and one of their parents.

Figure 25

Parents’ use of parental controls or other means of blocking or filtering some types of websites QC331: Does your parent/either of your parents make use of the following? Use of parental controls or other means of blocking or filtering some types of websites. Base: All children who use the internet at home and one of their parents.
Parents’ use of parental controls or other means of blocking or filtering some types of websites QC331: Does your parent/either of your parents make use of the following? Use of parental controls or other means of blocking or filtering some types of websites. Base: All children who use the internet at home and one of their parents.

Figure 26

Whether parental mediation limits the child’s activities on the internet, according to child QC333: Do the things that your parent does (parents do) relating to how you use the internet limit what you can do on the internet or not really? Base: All children who use the internet.
Whether parental mediation limits the child’s activities on the internet, according to child QC333: Do the things that your parent does (parents do) relating to how you use the internet limit what you can do on the internet or not really? Base: All children who use the internet.

Figure 27

Whether child ignores what parents say when they use the internet, according to child QC334: And do you ever ignore what your parent(s) tell you when use the internet, or not really? Base: All children who use the internet.
Whether child ignores what parents say when they use the internet, according to child QC334: And do you ever ignore what your parent(s) tell you when use the internet, or not really? Base: All children who use the internet.

Figure 28

Whether parents do anything differently because the child has been bothered by something on the internet, according to child and parent QC335: Does your parent / Do your parents do anything new or different these days because you have been bothered by something on the internet in the past, or not really? QP227: Do you (or your partner/other carer) do anything different these days because your child has been bothered by something on the internet in the past or not really? Base: All children who use the internet and one of their parents.
Whether parents do anything differently because the child has been bothered by something on the internet, according to child and parent QC335: Does your parent / Do your parents do anything new or different these days because you have been bothered by something on the internet in the past, or not really? QP227: Do you (or your partner/other carer) do anything different these days because your child has been bothered by something on the internet in the past or not really? Base: All children who use the internet and one of their parents.

Figure 29

Children who would like their parent(s) to take more interest in what they do online, and parents who think they should do more QC326: Overall, would you like your parent(s) to take more or less interest in what you do on the internet, or to stay about the same? And is that a lot/little more/less? QP226: Speaking of things you do in relation to your child's internet use, do you think you should do more, or not really? Note: graph shows children who say yes, a bit or a lot more, and parents who say yes, a bit or a lot more. Base: All children who use the internet and one of their parents.
Children who would like their parent(s) to take more interest in what they do online, and parents who think they should do more QC326: Overall, would you like your parent(s) to take more or less interest in what you do on the internet, or to stay about the same? And is that a lot/little more/less? QP226: Speaking of things you do in relation to your child's internet use, do you think you should do more, or not really? Note: graph shows children who say yes, a bit or a lot more, and parents who say yes, a bit or a lot more. Base: All children who use the internet and one of their parents.

Figure 30

Teachers’ mediation of child’s internet use, according to child QC338: Have any teachers at your school ever done any of these things? (Multiple responses allowed) Base: All children who use the internet.
Teachers’ mediation of child’s internet use, according to child QC338: Have any teachers at your school ever done any of these things? (Multiple responses allowed) Base: All children who use the internet.

Figure 31

Peer mediation of child’s internet use, according to child QC336: Have your friends ever done any of these things? (Multiple responses allowed) Base: All children who use the internet.
Peer mediation of child’s internet use, according to child QC336: Have your friends ever done any of these things? (Multiple responses allowed) Base: All children who use the internet.

Figure 32

Peer mediation of child’s safe internet use, according to child QC337: Have you ever suggested ways to use the internet safely to your friends. QC336c: Have your friends ever done any of these things – suggested ways to use the internet safely. Base: All children who use the internet.
Peer mediation of child’s safe internet use, according to child QC337: Have you ever suggested ways to use the internet safely to your friends. QC336c: Have your friends ever done any of these things – suggested ways to use the internet safely. Base: All children who use the internet.

Figure 33

Whether parents, peers or teachers have ever suggested ways to use the internet safely, according to child QC329c: Have your parents ever suggested ways to use the internet safely? QC336c: Have your friends ever suggested ways to use the internet safely? QC338d: Have your teachers ever suggested ways to use the internet safely? Base: All children who use the internet.
Whether parents, peers or teachers have ever suggested ways to use the internet safely, according to child QC329c: Have your parents ever suggested ways to use the internet safely? QC336c: Have your friends ever suggested ways to use the internet safely? QC338d: Have your teachers ever suggested ways to use the internet safely? Base: All children who use the internet.

Figure 34

Children who have encountered one or more online risk factors by children’s average number of online activities, by countryLivingstone, S., Haddon, L., Görzig, A., and Ólafsson, K., (2011). Risks and safety on the internet: The perspective of European children. Full findings Available at www.eukidsonline.net (p. 141)
Children who have encountered one or more online risk factors by children’s average number of online activities, by countryLivingstone, S., Haddon, L., Görzig, A., and Ólafsson, K., (2011). Risks and safety on the internet: The perspective of European children. Full findings Available at www.eukidsonline.net (p. 141)

Figure 35

Ladder of opportunities, by country
Ladder of opportunities, by country

Figure 36

Online experiences that have bothered children, according to child and parent, by country QC110: In the PAST 12 MONTHS, have you seen or experienced something on the internet that has bothered you in some way? For example, made you feel uncomfortable, upset, or feel that you shouldn’t have seen it. QP228: As far as you are aware, in the past year, has your child seen or experienced something on the internet that has bothered them in some way? QC322: Do you think there are things on the internet that people about your age will be bothered by in any way? Base: All children who use the internet and one of their parents.
Online experiences that have bothered children, according to child and parent, by country QC110: In the PAST 12 MONTHS, have you seen or experienced something on the internet that has bothered you in some way? For example, made you feel uncomfortable, upset, or feel that you shouldn’t have seen it. QP228: As far as you are aware, in the past year, has your child seen or experienced something on the internet that has bothered them in some way? QC322: Do you think there are things on the internet that people about your age will be bothered by in any way? Base: All children who use the internet and one of their parents.

Figure 37

Child has seen sexual images online or offline in past 12 months, by country QC128: Have you seen anything of this kind [obviously sexual]? QC131: Have you seen these kinds of things on any websites in the past 12 months? Base: All children who use the internet.
Child has seen sexual images online or offline in past 12 months, by country QC128: Have you seen anything of this kind [obviously sexual]? QC131: Have you seen these kinds of things on any websites in the past 12 months? Base: All children who use the internet.

Figure 38

Child has been bullied online or offline in past 12 months, by country QC112: Has someone acted in this kind of hurtful or nasty way to you in the past 12 months? QC115: At any time during the last 12 months has this happened on the internet? Base: All children who use the internet.
Child has been bullied online or offline in past 12 months, by country QC112: Has someone acted in this kind of hurtful or nasty way to you in the past 12 months? QC115: At any time during the last 12 months has this happened on the internet? Base: All children who use the internet.

Figure 39

Having seen or received or sent sexual messages in past 12 months (children aged 11-16), by country QC167: In the past 12 months have you seen or received sexual messages of any kind on the internet? This could be words, pictures or videos. QC179: In the past 12 months, have you sent or posted a sexual message (words, pictures or video) of any kind on the internet? This could be about you or someone else. Base: All children aged 11-16 who use the internet.
Having seen or received or sent sexual messages in past 12 months (children aged 11-16), by country QC167: In the past 12 months have you seen or received sexual messages of any kind on the internet? This could be words, pictures or videos. QC179: In the past 12 months, have you sent or posted a sexual message (words, pictures or video) of any kind on the internet? This could be about you or someone else. Base: All children aged 11-16 who use the internet.

Figure 40

Child has communicated online with, or gone to an offline meeting with, someone not met face to face before, by country QC147: Can I just check, have you ever had contact on the internet with someone you have not met face to face before? QC148: Have you ever gone on to meet anyone face to face that you first met on the internet in this way? Base: All children who use the internet.
Child has communicated online with, or gone to an offline meeting with, someone not met face to face before, by country QC147: Can I just check, have you ever had contact on the internet with someone you have not met face to face before? QC148: Have you ever gone on to meet anyone face to face that you first met on the internet in this way? Base: All children who use the internet.

Figure 41

Child has seen potentially harmful usergenerated content on websites in past 12 months (age 11+), by country QC142: In the past 12 months, have you seen websites where people discuss...? Bars show percentage of children who have seen any such material at all on websites (i.e. bottom row of Error! Reference source not found.). Base: All children aged 11-16 who use the internet.
Child has seen potentially harmful usergenerated content on websites in past 12 months (age 11+), by country QC142: In the past 12 months, have you seen websites where people discuss...? Bars show percentage of children who have seen any such material at all on websites (i.e. bottom row of Error! Reference source not found.). Base: All children aged 11-16 who use the internet.

Figure 42

Child accesses the internet using a mobile phone or handheld device, by country QC300h, e: Which of these devices do you use for the internet these days? Base: All children who use the internet.
Child accesses the internet using a mobile phone or handheld device, by country QC300h, e: Which of these devices do you use for the internet these days? Base: All children who use the internet.

Parents’ desired sources of information on internet safety, by age of child

Age of child
%9-1011-1213-1415-16All
Your child's school6570725565
Government, authorities local5152586055
Websites with safety information4751513947
Television, radio, newspapers or magazines4641523744
Internet providers service3650483743
Family and friends4637373037
Manufacturers and selling retailers the products3531382031
From my child2324322225
Children's welfare organisations/char ities2129282225
Other sources2218181017
None, I don’t want more information about this11121

Parent’s active mediation of the child’s internet use, according to child and parent

% who say that their parents sometimes…Child no parent noChild yes parent noChild no parent yesChild yes parent yes
Talk to you about what you do on the internet452962
Stay nearby when you use the internet17122051
Encourage you to explore and learn things on the internet on your own2593135
Sit with you while you use the internet37112329
Do shared activities together with you on the internet4082230

Parent’s monitoring of the child’s internet use, according to child and parent

% who say parents check…Child no parent noChild yes parent noChild no parent yesChild yes parent yes
Which visited websites you28111941
Your profile on a social network or online community3181943
Which friends or contacts you add to social networking profile4192129
The messages in your email or instant messaging account6352013

Whether parent thinks child will experience problems on the internet in the next six months

% of parents who9-12 years13-16 years
say…BoysGirlsBoysGirlsAll
Not at all likely2716241621
Not very likely4243435245
Fairly likely2531262125
Very likely6107118

Child has seen potentially harmful user-generated content in past 12 months (age 11+)

Age
%11-13 years14-16 years
BoysGirlsBoysGirlsAll
Hate messages that attack certain groups or individuals1817214726
Ways to be very thin (such as being anorexic or bulimic)694189
Talk about or share their experiences of taking drugs94112612
Ways of physically harming or hurting themselves168112014
Ways of committing suicide15744
Has seen such material at all on any websites3122345234

Child has experienced misuse of personal data in past 12 months (age 11+)

Age
%11-13 years14-16 years
BoysGirlsBoysGirlsAll
Somebody used my password to access my information or to pretend to be me151591213
Somebody used my personal information in a way I didn't like1115389
I lost money by being cheated on the internet64033
Has experienced personal data misuse of any kind212291717

Child has seen sexual images online and was bothered by this, by country

All children who use the internetChild
%Child has seen sexual images onlineChild bothered by seeing sexual images onlinebothered, of those who have seen sexual images online
EE291449
TR13649
RO19844
IE11438
*AU281036
DE4235
PL15533
ES11332
FR20632
AT17530
BE17530
HU11330
DK28828
CY12326
IT7226
SE26726
UK11324
CZ28623
LT25623
NL22523
NO34923
PT13323
FI29620
BG20417
EL14215
SI25415
ALL14432

Parent’s active mediation of the child’s internet safety, according to child and parent

% who say that their parents sometimes…Child no parent noChild yes parent noChild no parent yesChild yes parent yes
Helped you when something is difficult to do or find on the internet9121167
Explained why some websites are good or bad771967
Suggested ways to use the internet safely8141661
Suggested ways to behave towards other people online15131854
Helped you in the past when something has bothered you on the internet39161629
Talked to you about what to do if something on the internet bothered you16131952

Children’s digital literacy and safety skills (age 11+)

11-12 year old13-16 year old
% who say they can…BoysGirlsBoysGirlsAll
Bookmark a website8480909288
Block messages from someone you don’t want to hear from6372928180
Change privacy settings on a social networking profile5862828776
Find information on how to use the internet safely6762798376
Compare different websites to decide if information is true6756717770
Block unwanted adverts or junk mail/spam6547797269
Delete the record of which sites you have visited5739787065
Change filter preferences2613543737
Average number of skills4.64.26.15.95.4

Where Australian children use the internet

% children who say they use the internet at the following locations
At school or college96
Living room (or other public room) at home87
At a friend's home70
At a relative's home62
Own bedroom (or other private room) at home45
When 'out and about'31
In a public library or other public place26
In an internet café6
Average number of locations4.2

Parent’s active mediation of the child’s internet safety, according to child

% who say that9-12 years13-16 years
their parent does…BoysGirlsBoysGirlsAll
Helped you when something is difficult to do or find on the internet8388757179
Explained why some websites are good or bad7278806774
Suggested ways to use the internet safely7678727675
Suggested ways to behave towards other people online6075696444
Helped you in the past when something has bothered you on the internet4151354867
Talked to you about what to do if something on the internet bothered you5772616764
One or more of these9499959094

Parents’ technical mediation of the child’s internet use, according to child

% who say9-12 years13-16 years
parents check…BoysGirlsBoysGirlsAll
Software to prevent spam/junk mail or viruses7473808078
Parental controls or other means of keeping track of the websites you visit5754312736
Parental controls or other means of blocking or filtering some types of website5034293435
A service or contract that limits the time you spend on the internet2821192021
One or more of these8368858481

Whether parental mediation is helpful, according to child and parent

% who say that do helps to makewhat parents the child’sYes
internet experiencebetterA lotA littleNo
9-12 yearsChild says Parent says38 3844 4418 18
13-16 yearsChild says Parent says13 4053 3234 28
All childrenChild says Parent says25 3949 3826 23

Parent’s active mediation of the child’s internet use, according to child

% who say that their parent does…9-12 years13-16 years
BoysGirlsBoysGirlsAll
Talk to you about what you do on the internet6870695967
Stay nearby when you use the internet7374545263
Encourage you to explore and learn things on the internet on your own4948423644
Sit with you while you use the internet4641433140
Do shared activities together with you on the internet4547313138
One or more of these8996948691

Children’s activities online in the past month

9-12 year old13-16 year old
% who have…BoysGirlsBoysGirlsAll
Used the internet for school work8484888886
Watched video clips Played internet games8077899285
on your own or against the computer9478756178
Sent/received email4855749167
Visited a social networking profile3550858463
Used messaging instant2936637451
Put (or posted) photos, videos or music to share with others1835577245
Played games with other people on the internet6039542044
Downloaded films music or2523576643
Put message (or posted) on a website a2328496441
Read/news watched on the internet the2619523834
Used a webcam2229323730
Created pet or avatar a character,4234151326
Used file sharing sites88302619
Visited a chatroom1919171518
Spent time in a virtual world2017141316
Written diary a blog or online756179
Average activities number of6.26.28.58.77.3

Parents’ restrictive mediation of the child’s internet use, according to child

% who say that9-12 years13-16 years
rules apply about…BoysGirlsBoysGirlsAll
Give out personal information others on the to internet95100837989
Download music or films on the internet8991423263
Upload photos, videos or music to share with others8483363459
Have your own social networking profile7275262749
Use messaging instant7371252147
Watch on the video internet clips5464201939
One or more of these9999838391

Whether the child would like their parent(s) to take more interest in what they do online

9-12 years13-16 years
% who say …BoysGirlsBoysGirlsAll
A lot more1010478
A little more161251111
Stay the same6173767471
A little less1141178
A lot less21412

Parents’ accounts of whether child has met online contacts offline

Met someone face to face thatChild’s answer
first met on the internet?YesNo
% Parent answer:
Yes110
No7898
Don't know112
100100

Summary of online risk factors shaping children’s probability of experiencing harm

Age
%9-1011-1213-1415-16All
Seen sexual images on websites in past 12 months1117255628
Have been sent nasty or hurtful internet messages in past 12 on the months615141513
Seen or received sexual messages internet in on past the 12 monthsn.a.992715
Ever had contact on the internet not met with face someone to face before1823355334
Ever gone on to meet anyone face to face that first met on the internet22595
Have come across one or more types of potentially harmful user- generated content in past 12 monthsn.a.27334334
Have experienced one or of more personal types data of misuse in past 12 monthsn.a.20171417
Encountered more of the above one or2457638458
Acted in a nasty or hurtful others way on the towards internet in the past 12 months05785
Sent or posted a sexual message the internet of in any the kind past on 12 monthsn.a.5054
Done either of these08585

Children’s actions in relation to online contacts

% who have, in the past 12 months . . .Never/ not in past yearLess than monthlyMore often
Looked for new friends on the internet76915
Added people to my friends list or address book that I have never met face to face801011
Sent a photo or video of myself to someone that I have never met face to face8964
Sent personal information to someone that I have never met face to face9424
Pretended to be a different kind of person on the internet from what I really am9443

Parents’ accounts of whether child has seen or received sexual messages online (age 11+)

Seen or been sent sexual imagesChild’s answer
on the internet?YesNo
% Parent answer:
Yes275
No5183
Don't know2212
100100

Ways in which children have been bullied in past 12 months

9-12 years13-16 years
%BoysGirlsBoysGirlsAll
In person face to face1626172020
On the internet419111913
By mobile phone calls, texts or image/video texts05373
Has been bullied at all, online or offline2639222929

What kind of sexual images the child has seen online in past 12 months, by age (age 11+)

Age
%9-1011-1213-1415-16All
Images or video of someone nakedn.a.11144524
Images or video of someone's 'private partsn.a.8142917
Images or video of someone having sexn.a.6112916
Images or video or movies that show sex in a violent wayn.a.4876
Something elsen.a.2364
Seen sexual images online

Information on whether child has seen sexual images online at all are available for all age groups, but the 9-10 year olds were not asked about the types of sexual images seen online. The total figures here are included for comparative purposes

1117255628

What happened when child was bullied online in past 12 months (age 11+)

Age
%9-1011-1213-1415-16All
Nasty or hurtful messages were sent to men.a.56107
Nasty or hurtful messages about me around were or passed posted where others could seen.a.5534
Other nasty or hurtful things on the internetn.a.3613
I was threatened on the internetn.a.3613
I was left out or excluded from a group or activity on the internetn.a.2042
Something elsen.a.2122
At all on the internet615141513

How much parents know about their child’s internet use, according to child

% who say that9-12 years13-16 years
their parent(s) know(s)…BoysGirlsBoysGirlsAll
A lot4859243341
Quite a bit3327523036
Just a little1812233422
Nothing12132

Peer mediation of child’s internet use, according to child

% who say friends9-12 years13-16 years
at their school have ever…BoysGirlsBoysGirlsAll
Helped you when something to do or find is on difficult the6972807975
internet
Explained why some websites are good or bad4032404739
Helped you in the past when something has bothered you on the internet2537295637
Suggested ways to behave towards other people online2627384333
Suggested ways to use the internet safely2929343632
One or more of all of the above8076838882

Teachers’ mediation of child’s internet use, according to child

% who say9-12 years13-16 years
teachers at their school have ever…BoysGirlsBoysGirlsAll
Suggested ways to use the internet safely6678748174
Explained why some websites are good or bad3341222630
Helped you when something difficult to do is or find on the internet8086737579
Suggested ways to other behave people towards online6673758475
Talked to you about what to do if something on the internet bothered you8083809083
Helped you in the past when something has bothered you on the internet7067667970
One or more forms of active mediation9798969697
Made rules about what you can do on the internet at school9796969095
Talked to you about what you do on the internet6977747874
One or more of all of the above9899969998

Kinds of sexual messaging child has encountered online in past 12 months (age 11+)

Age
%9-1011-1213-1415-16All
I have been sent a sexual message on the internetn.a.35189
I have seen a sexual message posted other people where could see it on the internetn.a.1294
I have seen other people perform sexual actsn.a.00145
I have been asked on the internet for a photo or video showing my private partsn.a.0273
I have been asked to talk about sexual acts with someone on the internetn.a.11156
Has seen or received at alln.a.992715

Children’s and parents’ accounts of whether child has seen sexual images online

Child has seen sexual images onChild’s answer
the internet?YesNo
% Parent answer:
Yes3817
No4947
Don't know1436
100100

Parents’ technical mediation of the child’s internet use, according to child and parent

% who say parents check…Child no parent noChild yes parent noChild no parent yesChild yes parent yes
Software spam/junk to mail prevent or viruses551674
Parental controls or other means of keeping track of the websites you visit4981528
Parental controls or other means filtering of some blocking types or of website5171528
A service or contract that limits the time you spend on the internet6981013

Child has seen sexual images online or offline in past 12 months, by age and gender

9-12 years13-16 years
%BoysGirlsBoysGirlsAll
On any websites1613453928
On or video/television, DVD film1115342922
In book a magazine or79181412
By text (SMS),
images (MMS), or otherwise on my231456
mobile phone
By Bluetooth10301
Has seen at all, online or offline2727586144

Parents' accounts of whether child has been bullied online

Child has been sent nasty orChild’s answer:
hurtful messages on the internet?YesNo
% Parent answer:
Yes584
No3391
Don't know96
100100

Children’s sources of advice on internet safety (other than parents, teachers or friends)

9-12 years13-16 years
%BoysGirlsBoysGirlsAll
Other relative6166455557
Television, radio, newspapers or magazines2729344534
Librarian2822142422
Someone whose job is to give advice over the internet2120162922
Websites1114262519
Internet service provider27201311
Youth social or worker church or93151511
I haven't received advice from any of these2924181722

Parents’ ability to help their child and child’s ability to cope, according to parent

Extent
% of parents…Not at allNot very muchA fair amountA lot
To what extent, if at all, do you feel you are able to help your child to deal with anything on the internet that bothers them?
Parents aged 9 to of 12 children years1104148
Parents aged 13 of to children 16 years3143549
Parents of all children2123848
To what extent, if at all, do you feel your child is able to deal with anything on the internet that bothers them?
Parents 9 to 12 years of children aged12165716
Parents 13 to 16 of years children aged1125136
Parents of all children6145426

Devices by which children go online

% children who use the internet
Shared PC76
Games console51
Other handheld portable device/smartphone45
Television set43
Mobile phone40
Shared laptop38
Own laptop31
Own PC26
Average number of devices of use3.5

Parents’ restrictive mediation of the child’s internet use, according to child and parent

% who say that rules apply about …Child no parent noChild yes parent noChild no parent yesChild yes parent yes
Give out personal information to others on the internet37088
Download on the internet music or films2891251
Upload music to photos, share videos with others or2714653
Have networking your own profile social3912643
Use instant messaging4410739
Watch video clips on the internet4516930

Parents’ actual sources of information on internet safety, by age of child

Age of child
%9-1011-1213-1415-16All
Family and friends5659595758
Your child's school4571615558
Television, radio, newspapers or magazines4138474142
Government, authorities local2837373534
Internet providers service1835363632
Websites with safety information3029293230
From my child1621313325
Other sources1519221819
Manufacturers and selling retailers the products1816231518
Children's welfare organisations/char ities1011989
None, I don't get any information about this34164

Parent’s monitoring of the child’s internet use, according to child

% who say9-12 years13-16 years
parents check…BoysGirlsBoysGirlsAll
Which you visited websites6162494253
Your profile on a social network or online community6061484249
Which friends or contacts you add to social networking profile4656293538
The messages in your instant email messaging or account412815818
One or more of these5464606059
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5334/csci.40 | Journal eISSN: 1836-0416
Journal RSS Feed
Language: English
Published on: Jan 1, 2011
Published by: Tallinn, Erfurt University
In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services
Publication frequency: 1 issue per year
Related subjects:
Cultural studies,
Genres and media in cultural studies,
Digital media and communication,
General cultural studies,
Library and information science, book studies,
Information science

© 2011 Lelia Green, Danielle Brady, Kjartan Ólafsson, John Hartley, Catharine Lumby, published by Tallinn, Erfurt University
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Volume 4 (2011): Issue 1 (January 2011)