Kids May Know More About Privacy Than Adults Think

Middle-school students may be more savvy about online privacy than parents or teachers give them credit for, say researchers at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. As part of a small study to be published in the journal Learning, Media and Technology, researchers found that tweens are aware of online risks, and take various steps to protect their privacy on the Internet and often discuss concerns with parents and teachers. On the other hand, kids report that parents and teachers often try to use undue and unrealistic scare tactics when it comes to pointing out dangers online. This is a good reminder to keep your discussion with your kids about online safety honest and open so they don’t reject what you have to say as being too extreme.