Symantec releases Norton Online Living Report

Parents don't know what their kids do online shocker

15 February 2008 11:50 GMT / By Amy-Mae Elliott

Symantec, makers of Norton security software, have released the first volume of the Norton Online Living Report (NOLR).

The Norton Online Living Report is claimed to be the world's most comprehensive report on the digital lifestyle habits of adults and children, cataloguing the migration of offline activities to the online world. The report examines data from eight countries including UK, Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, Japan and the US.

The company says that the report, complied by Harris Interactive, reveals that more than ever, adults and children around the world are getting "emotionally and socially connected online" - including dating, friendship and playing - as well as for information and communication.

Up to half of online adults worldwide and up to 40% of online children worldwide have made friends on line, with 72% of responding UK adults having translated at least one online friend to an offline friend. In the UK, 43% of online adults and 26% of children enjoy their online relationships as much or more than their offline friendships.

Another common theme worldwide reveals that parents' perception of what their children are doing online does not reflect the reality of what their children say they are doing. For example, one in five responding children admit to conducting activities online that they know their parents would not approve of with 24% of UK online children spending tenfold or more time online than their parents think they do.

The survey revealed that 72% of responding parents in the UK are concerned about their children's activities online, with 25% having no idea about what their children are doing on the internet.

Five times as many children online in the UK have been approached by a stranger online than their parents believe. In UK, adults believe that 4% of children have been approached online by a stranger. The actual percent reported by UK online children is 20.

More from the report, as well as info on Symantec's security software, can be found on the Norton website.