A new study from the New Internet & American Life Project
has found that 73 percent of US teenagers aged between 12 and 17, use the
Internet. Most of these teens say being online has improved their relationship
with friends and helped them make new friends. The top five
online activities for teens are: e-mail, surfing for fun, visiting entertainment
sites, using instant messaging (IM) and researching hobbies.
About 13 million teens, or 74 percent of all online teens, use instant
messaging. Only 44 percent of online adults use IM. Nineteen percent of teen IM
users say IM is now the main way they communicate with their friends. Fifty-five
percent of parents with online teens say learning how to use the Internet is
essential for their children’s future success, while a further 40 percent say it
is important. Just over 60 percent of parents say they have rules about Internet
use, and the same proportion check to see what sites their children visit.
Forty-five percent of parents are worried that the Internet leads young people
to engage in dangerous or harmful activities, and 40 percent have had arguments
with their children about the Internet. Online Teenagers Functions of the
Internet Improving teenagers’
relationship with friends; for teenagers
helping them
(46) . Top five online activities
They are e-mail, (47) , visiting
entertainment
sites, using instant messaging (IM) and researc-
hing hobbies. Percentage of all
online teens (48)
percent using instant messaging Parents’ view on the use of
Learning how to use the Internet Is essential
for the Internet by teens
their children’s (49) . Parents’ worries
The
Internet leads young people to engage in (50)
activities.