Parents More Ambivalent About Internet Use for Teens

A recent study by the Pew Internet & American Life Project shows that parents are more ambivalent about whether Internet access is a positive thing for their teens. The number of parents who say that using the Internet is good for their children has dropped from 67% in 2004 to 59% in 2006. In the same vein, the number of parents who don't think the Internet impacts their children one way or the other has risen from 25% in 2004 to 30% in 2006.

The study explores parent and teen attitudes towards the Internet and technology devices in general. It suggests that parents are paying close attention to the type of content their children are accessing. They are typically regulating both the time spent online, as well as the content accessed and are more aware of what their children are doing.

The Parent and Teenager Internet Use Report is available for viewing on the Pew Internet & American Life Project website.