Teens going around the rules...in the digital world

Webnotes by: Theresa Payton, Fortalice, LLC. Content also covered on WBTV's "Protecting Your Cyberturf" segment featuring Kristen Miranda and Theresa Payton.

A new study is out.  70% of teens hide their online behavior very well from their parents.  This according to a McAfee study.  Now if you say, not my teen, just remember the number again 7 out of 10 teens or 70% are going around the rules online.

That’s right.  Also according to this study, 73.5% of parents say they trust that their teens stay away from content that is not appropriate but 43% of teens look at online violence every day.  And 22.8% of parents say they are so overwhelmed, they just hope for the best.  Well, we want to help you do more than hope for the best so Cyber Expert is with us tonight to share some tips.

How your teens keep you from following their tracks.

The top 3 activities:
1.  Clearing the browser history when they are done surfing.
2.  Closing what they look at when the parent enters the room
3.  Hiding and deleting instant messages and videos

What else are they doing?

Well 15% admit they have hacked into someone else’s social media account.
32% of teens admitted they have accessed porn online on purpose

What can you do?
1.  Talk to your kids
2.  Be Where Your Kids are online
3.  Set parental controls
4. Obtain email and social network passwords
5.  Look into features and options from your mobile phone company for usage and tracking options

WORD OF THE WEEK:
TUMBLR:  If you have a teen at home, chances are they use this!  It’s a mashup of blogs and social networking.