Microsoft wants parents of teens to know - parents play a critical role for teens when it comes to what they can and cannot do online.
According to the results of an online survey of 501 teenagers attending seventh through tenth grade, conducted by KRC Research on behalf of Microsoft Corporation:
Fewer teens expect punishment for illegal use of Intellectual Property than stealing goods. Fewer than half of teens surveyed (48%) thought they should be punished for
illegally downloading materials over the Internet, while most thought they should be punished for things like stealing a bike (90%), stealing a video game at the mall (89%) or stealing a cell phone from a locker at school (85%).Awareness of the law impacts teen attitudes towards illegal downloading. The more teenagers know about laws against illegal downloading, the more they will come to think it hould be a punishable offense. Likewise, teenagers unaware of the rules are more tolerant of illegal activities.
- Among teenagers who said they were familiar with the laws, more than eight in ten (82%) said illegal downloaders should be punished. In contrast, slightly more than half
(57%) of those unfamiliar with the laws said violators should be punished.Parents play a critical role for teens. Teens report their parents are their main source of information about what they can and cannot do online. Reinforcing the critical role of parents is the fact that some of the strongest deterrents to stealing and illegally sharing content are the thoughts of potential consequences.
Teens challenged by peer pressure and their wallets. Among teens, peer pressure and cost also have a strong impact on attitudes towards illegal downloading.
Why This May Be Important To You: Further proof (from Microsoft nonetheless) that parents need to be involved in the choices their children make while online. It’s not only for their safety from predators and cyber bullying, but also ensuring that they don’t run afoul from the law when it comes to downloading content that they legally, should not be downloading.
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2 Responses
laurie
March 19th, 2008 at 9:16 pm
1As a single mom of five kids ranging from 19-28 I can tell you it was sometimes overwhelming, but what a blessing> I had five different types of personalities and five different styles of music, clothes, art, etc. but early on i encouraged sibling respect since I always believe these to be your first set of “friends”. I know parents aren’t perfect, but i also know being a good role model is crucial to their upbringing. Some great parents have kids that have gone down a scary path and you can’t understand “why”…things happen. By staying visible and connected, it lessens the chance of you separating too far from your teen. These are those years they need their space and usually the most from parents, and yet these are those years they need our guidance the most. I was a licensed Home daycare provider, so I was fortunate to be around alot…but I know my kids still dabbled in areas that could put them in danger. Today we are a very close family, the siblings are the best of buddies/friends and I feel that being a good role model is more than half the battle in raising your family.I love my kids and we had many money problems, so there could have been good reason to take another path, but I held tight to values of right and wrong and always tried to be their example of that. I have been very lucky, we have had a few scares but weathered it with love and respect. We are teachers as well as role models and parents and we can’t forget that.
laurie
March 21st, 2008 at 3:58 pm
2I feel bad for the many teachers out there is the schools today. Back when my kids went to school it was about instruction and teaching the curriculum. Now teachers are nannies and have to be involved with so many extra curricular activities that being a teacher and focusing just on their whole class takes a second seat. In my daycare business I watched many teachers children and they would share some of these stories. I know moms and dads work long hours but by not being more available to your children the criticisms fall on everyone else who is. it begins at home, that foundation of trust and guidelines and love and respect. It is not up to our teachers to teach your child manners, they should come to school with them. the language our kids use today, reflects lack of respect and social skills. I know as a mom of five, this was my job. Don’t we want our teachers to do their best in instruction and teaching the subjects our children go to school for? Parents need to be more aware and start doing their own homework.
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