Spreading the Word

In a recent little survey I did this week. I surveyed parents of secondary school aged children who allow their child to use the internet (without towering over their shoulder).

In just a few days I was able to reach out to just 83 parents/participants with questions LIKE this?

- How many hours does your child spend online using social media each day?

- Based on the relationship you have with your child would they or do they tell you if someone was bullying them online?

- In your opinion do you THINK that your child receives more criticism/harrasement from their online "friends" compared to their "in person" friends/schoolmates?

- Are your children aware of the risks and dangers of giving out their personal information to strangers on the internet?

- Do you think if you forbid your child from using all types of social media, it would work?

- Does your child use social media from their mobile devices? disabling you from actually knowing the amount of time they spend on social media sites?

From these questions and more on average parents BELIEVED their children were online no more than 2-3 hours a day and nearly half were certain their child would tell them if someone was bullying or creating negative drama towards them via online/social media. Also, the survey concluded that 67/83 parents thought there children were aware of the dangers and risks online, and that 58/83 thought their children would abstain from social media if they told them too.

Where I'm left wondering and where my survey could have been a little jaded was possibly the participant pool. I survey parents whom I know and asked them to pass along the link. Nearly all of these parents where under 45, and used social media themselves (info via the survey). I'm curious to know how the survey would have panned out had the participants been people from entirely different age and demographic groups as well as from parents who don't use the internet for social media purposes and are a little less informed on what it really is.

This is where I come in, I'm encouraging you moms to simply have "the talk" with your kids... not about birds & bee's but about how to limit themselves online and how to not make themselves vulnerable to cyberbullying or online predators!

Lastly - I want to wish you all a Happy Holiday Season :)

- Thanks for reading!

*Please note, all participants were given this disclaimer first:

"This survey is for the use of a Social Media Project to identify and gain information on the amounts of parents of secondary school aged children who are aware of how much and how often their children use social media and the effects and risks of cyberbullying and dangers online. If your child does NOT use social media - this survey is not for you. Thank you for participating."