Survey Finds Internet Use is Positive for Children

Washington, D.C. -- A national survey of more than 1700 American households reveals that both children and parents view Internet use as a "positive new force in children's lives." The study results were released March 28 in a Washington news conference by the co-sponsors, the National School Boards Foundation, the Children's Television Workshop and the Microsoft Corporation.

The executive summary of the report says the study was undertaken in the face of a dilemma facing educators today. Parents want educators to keep children safe, at the same time they want children to achieve. The report says "these priorities may seen contradictory" when an educational tool like the Internet could also expose youngsters to pornography, racism and exploitation.

The key finding of the research is that Internet use is beneficial for children, despite the potential for exposure to negative forces in society. The study also confirmed the widespread use of the Internet among youngsters. At least one child used the Internet in virtually half the households surveyed; among teenagers, three out of four youngsters are on line.

Other important results from the study include:

• Education is the primary reason families buy computers and connect to the Internet.
• The Internet does not detract from other healthy activities, like reading and sports.
• The Internet does not isolate children from their families, peers or communities.
• Girls are just as involved in the Internet as boys.

• Schools can contribute to breaking down the digital divide separating information "haves" and "have nots."

The complete text of "Safe & Smart" can be viewed at http://www.nsbf.org/safe-smart/

Following is the text of the study's executive summary:

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Safe and Smart: Research And Guidelines for Children's Use of the Internet

March 28, 2000

National School Boards Foundation
with generous support from
Children's Television Workshop
Microsoft Corporation

Executive Summary

The Internet poses a singular challenge for public school leaders and parents. Many public opinion surveys confirm that Americans expect school leaders to focus on two top priorities: keeping children safe and increasing student achievement. At a time when Internet usage among children and adults is rising dramatically, however, these priorities sometimes may seem contradictory. Is it possible for schools to protect students from inappropriate content without denying them access to engaging and valuable educational content? Can adults craft approaches that strike a balance between safe and smart Internet usage by children? These questions are at the crux of the dilemma we face with increasing frequency and urgency.

Until now, this dilemma has been complicated by a dearth of credible information. There was a lack of good data about where children access the Internet, what they do once they're connected, what kinds of sites they visit, and how much adult supervision and guidance they receive, among many other basic issues. Nor did we know much about parents' perceptions of and expectations for their children's Internet usage. Without sound research, there is a tendency to react to the headlines and hype of the moment - and that tack may not result in wise school policymaking and parental oversight.

Against this backdrop, the National School Boards Foundation worked with Grunwald Associates, a leading market research and consulting firm specializing in technology, to develop an unprecedented national survey of parents and children. The Dieringer Research Group conducted the survey and tabulated the data. With generous support from the Children's Television Workshop and Microsoft Corporation, we surveyed a significantly large random sample of 1,735 households nationwide to learn about children's Internet usage. In telephone interviews, we asked parents of children aged two to 17 a number of questions about the role the Internet plays in their children's lives. We also asked children themselves, aged nine to 17, from the same households, for a reality check on the role of the Internet their own lives.

Key Findings: The Benefits of the Internet

The bottom line: Most parents and children alike seem to view the Internet as a positive new force in children's lives. Despite recent negative headlines about online isolation, violence, pornography, predators and commercialism, parents and children generally are upbeat and favorable about their own Internet experiences. Parents, in fact, are more positive on this issue than children. They believe the Internet is a powerful tool for learning and communicating within families. And, as parents' answers suggest, the Internet can be an equally powerful tool for schools that want to increase public engagement and family involvement-and to help bridge the digital divide between students who have computers and Internet access at home and those who do not.

In almost half (49 percent) of households surveyed, at least one child uses the Internet. By the time they are teenagers, nearly three out of four children are online. Teenagers who use the Internet are more likely to log on at school. Younger children who are online are more likely to log on at home than at school-underscoring the importance of working with families of younger children to encourage and help guide their Internet use in their own lives.

Parents and children told us:

1.The main reason families buy computers and connect their children to the Internet at home is for education. The most common reason parents cite for buying home computers is children's education. Education is also the single-most common motivation parents cite for their children to use the Internet from home. Moreover, education-related use of the Internet goes beyond learning activities for required schoolwork. Children also go online for learning activities that are not connected directly with school. Many parents whose young children use the Internet at school believe the Internet has improved their child's attitude toward school.

2.The Internet does not disrupt children's everyday habits and typical, healthy activities. In fact, once they start using the Internet, many children spend less time watching television; increased time reading newspapers, magazines and books; increased time playing outdoors; and increased time doing arts and crafts. The findings present a picture of American children whose involvement in a variety of activities continues and even increases-even as their Internet usage is rising.

3.Contrary to conventional wisdom, the Internet does not appear to isolate children from their families, peers or communities. Instead, the Internet is a powerful communication tool that connects children (and parents) to others-and could bolster the home-school connection. Children (and parents) use e-mail, chat rooms and instant messaging, for example, to connect with other people, not avoid them. Parents, including low-income parents, would like to be able to communicate with their children's teachers as well-and that would be a powerful way for schools to increase parental involvement.

4.Girls use the Internet as much as boys, but in different ways. In fact, the Internet may be one of the few public places where girls are equally as involved as boys. The findings indicate that girls are comfortable and competent on the Internet. Girls use the Internet for education, schoolwork, e-mail and chat rooms. Boys are likely to use the Internet for entertainment and games. Overall, there is no statistical difference in the proportion of girls and boys who use the Internet. Clearly, this encouraging news debunks any remaining stereotypes about technology-phobic girls when it comes to the Internet.

5.Schools have the opportunity to help narrow the gap between the haves and have-nots. Already, schools are providing significant Internet access for students who otherwise would have none. In addition, low-income families have a strong belief in the Internet as a vehicle for their children's advancement. Internet use seems to have a strong effect on the school attitudes of low-income children, children from large families and children in single-parent households. In addition, there are no differences between children of various ethnic groups.

6.Parents trust their children's use of the Internet; however, they do have some concerns. Despite these concerns-and some gaps between parents' and children's perspectives of Internet use-parents generally believe that the Internet is a safe place for their children. Most parents use a common-sense, balanced approach to overseeing their children's use of the Internet. They monitor the sites their children visit, limit the time their children spend online and set usage rules similar to those they set for television viewing. There are gaps between parents' and children's perceptions about the amount of time children spend online, the amount of supervision children get and their respective attitudes about Internet use. But even with these gaps, parents-and their children-believe that parents have a good deal of awareness about their children's Internet use at home. Overall, parents generally are satisfied with their children's Internet use-and they seem to trust their children to explore. Indeed, many parents want their children to have access to the Internet.

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