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The Rise of Generation 'Net'
The internet can be a fairly idyllic place, where many choose to go to escape their day to day routine and indulge in games, chat, shopping and tons of other virtual activities. One group that appears to be getting sucked further into the internet world are youngsters, a recent study has even revealed that children are more content with their online lives that they are with reality. Cleverly dubbed ‘Generation Net’, these youngsters are increasingly turning to the internet to escape from the trials of school and home life. When asked why they felt happier when engrossed in their digital lives, the majority of youngsters replied that it allowed them to be who they want to be and that as soon as it is no longer fun they can simply hit the 'log-off' button. The study delved into many of the issues that have been greatly debated by those worried about the online safety of young people, from discussing the impact of virtual bullying to finding out just who is striking up conversation with your children. The study, which was undertaken by children’s charity Kidscape, assessed the online experiences of over 2,000 11-18 year olds from all across the UK. If you have any concerns about just how your child feels about their online persona, take a look at the key findings of this invaluable research.
- A massive 47% of all children interviewed for the study admitted that they behaved differently online compared to their normal personality with many confessing that they felt more confident.
- One in eight of the participants had spoken to a stranger online with 60% of these hiding their real age and 40% omitting details of personal relationships.
- 10% of children admitted to lying about their appearance whilst online.
- One gay teenager admitted that the only place that they feel comfortable speaking about their sexuality is via online forums.
The statistics do speak for themselves and it is no surprise that many are calling for more education to be given on online safety and appropriate behaviour. Although the majority of teens may find the internet to be a welcome reprieve from day to day life, the amount of risks being taken by some are staggering. To find out more about the Kidscape and their work, make sure you visit http://www.kidscape.org.uk/