New Poll Indicates a Majority Feel Social Networking Eroding Kids’ Respect for Privacy; Few Adults Strongly Believe They Are Cyber Secure.

Washington, DC, Jun. 12 – On the heels of the release of new Zogby poll data on Internet Safety, Congressional policymakers and members of the online safety community have formed a “National Partnership for Safe Computing” to promote better awareness of online safety and cyber security.

The launch of the National Partnership for Safe Computing will bring online safety advocates, educators, and industry, together with Members of Congress to engage Americans on the topic of online safety and security. This pro-active solution to online threats is driven by promoting and facilitating education for parents and families.  Speakers including Congresswoman Melissa Bean, Congressman Frank Wolf, and Commissioner Pamela Jones Harbour from the Federal Trade Commission will make supporting comments for the National Partnership preceding the second annual Town Hall Open House in the U.S. Capitol.

“The Partnership demonstrates not only the leadership of the private sector but also those Members of Congress who have rolled up their sleeves to help Internet users and parents across America take control of their online experiences,” said Tim Lordan, Executive Director of the National Partnership for Safe Computing.

The Zogby poll results demonstrate that parents are concerned about the effect of social networking sites on their children’s privacy and illustrates some confusion on where to turn to for advice on parenting in the digital age.

Among the poll results:

* The poll information indicates that many feel that the Internet and social networking are fundamentally changing youth’s concepts of privacy. As social networking becomes further integrated into the culture of youth, the results of this are manifesting in the changing of social norms.  A majority (72.2%) of individuals agreed that the Internet, specifically social networking, is eroding younger people’s respect for their own personal privacy.

* While social networking may be seen as eroding youth’s respect for privacy, social networking is not without a possible positive role in safe computing. When asked where they would turn first to get information about Internet safety, more than twice as many parents responded that they would turn to friends (27.7%) over law enforcement (11.5%).

* Underscoring the emphasis for expanding conversations surrounding safe computing in the home, a majority of individuals (72.3%) indicated that their families have had conversations about the Internet and safety issues. Despite the fact that many have had conversations surrounding the Internet and safety issues, a smaller percentage (65.6%) feel that they are actually protected from online fraud. Of the 65.6% that responded the felt they are protected from online fraud, only 13.7% responded that they strongly felt this way.

National Partners for Safe Computing:

Honorary Congressional Partners
Representative Melissa Bean (IL-8)
Representative Frank Wolf (VA-10)
Representative Thelma Drake (VA-2)
Representative Bob Goodlatte (VA-6)
Representative J. Randy Forbes (VA-4)
Representative Mark Kirk (IL-10)
Representative Randy Kuhl (NY-29)
Representative Lamar Smith (TX-21)

Private Sector Partners
American Library Association
AT&T
Comcast
Common Sense Media
ConnectSafely.com
CyberSmart!
Federal Trade Commission
GetNetWise
i-SAFE
iKeepSafe
National Cyber Security Alliance
NCTA/Cable in the Classroom
Qwest Communications
TRUSTe
Verizon
Web Wise Kids

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About the Survey:

The Zogby poll surveyed adults with children under 18 years old from 6/6/08 through 6/9/08 nationwide. It has a margin of error of +/- 1.7 percent. Communications firm 463 Communications helped conceive and develop the survey and the poll was made possible with generous support from Comcast Communications and Qwest Communications.