Inaugural Online Safety Survey Launched by the Family Online Safety Institute

WASHINGTON, DC, October 29, 2024 — The Family Online Safety Institute (FOSI) has unveiled groundbreaking survey results, marking the first comprehensive study of its kind to explore both parents' and children's evolving views on online safety. The inaugural study reveals a striking disparity between tweens and teens surveyed who feel they bear the burden of staying safe in the digital space. In FOSI's inaugural Online Safety Survey, conducted in partnership with Ipsos, 43% of tweens and teens feel they are responsible for teaching themselves how to stay safe online. This stands in sharp contrast to the relatively few parents surveyed—only 19%—who think their children are responsible for their own online safety. The survey, which sampled 1,003 children aged 10 to 17 and 1,000 parents of children in this same age range, underscores an urgent need for tech companies and other industry players to offer better tools and solutions to help young users navigate the digital world safely.

Key Findings:

• 43% of children surveyed believe they must teach themselves about online safety, which is more than double the percentage of parents who believe their children should be responsible for learning these skills. This highlights a significant difference in perception between children and their parents regarding responsibility for online safety education.
• 5 in 6 parents (83%) feel prepared to teach their children about online safety, though this confidence drops for parents of boys aged 14 to 17. The drop may be linked to the rising number of online threats aimed at teen boys, such as sextortion.
• Social screen time is a top concern, with 57% of parents and 56% of children surveyed citing it as the most worrisome form of screen use. The survey highlights a sharp gender divide, with girls and parents of girls expressing more concern about social media and other online interactions than boys and parents of boys.
• Parental controls are viewed positively but lose effectiveness in the eyes of older teens. While many younger children surveyed view parental controls as effective, confidence in these tools drops among 14 to 17-year-olds, suggesting a need for more adaptive and engaging safety solutions for older teens.
• Households are split on screen time management: 35% of families surveyed report having no screen time limits, while 32% impose a general screen time limit, and 33% set limits based on specific types of screen use (e.g., social media versus educational activities). 

The research underscores the need for continued education and resources for both parents and children to bridge these gaps in understanding and preparedness. It also highlights the importance of ongoing dialogue about safe digital practices, particularly as the challenges of the online world evolve.

“This research shines a light on how children and parents view their roles in online safety, revealing new opportunities for growth,” said Stephen Balkam, CEO of FOSI. “By understanding these dynamics, we can empower families to approach digital challenges with confidence and foster a safer, more collaborative online environment.”

• Why This Research Matters: Filling the gap: This study fills a much-needed gap in public online safety research, providing a baseline to track trends over time and inform FOSI’s policy recommendations, Good Digital Parenting programs, and public sector organizations’ efforts to protect young users.
• Shaping the future: These findings will inform FOSI’s advocacy and public outreach as the organization continues to be a leading voice for safe, empowering digital environments for children and their families.

This research was made possible thanks to the support of sponsors including TikTok, Disney, and ESA. This is the first in a series of bi-annual reports, with future research designed to further explore evolving trends and insights in online safety. For more information and access to the full report, please visit FOSI's website.

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MEDIA CONTACT
Family Online Safety Institute
Kaylin Peete
press@fosi.org
(202) 775-0158

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