Pew Internet & American Life Project
http://www.pewinternet.org/PPF/r/139/press_release.asp
Most teenagers with social network profiles online are taking steps to
protect themselves from the most obvious risks.
A new report, based on a survey and a series of focus groups conducted
by the Pew Internet & American Life Project examine how teens,
particularly those with profiles online, make decisions about
disclosing or shielding personal information.
4/18/2007 | Release
Still, 63% of teens with online profiles believe that a motivated
person could eventually identify them from their online profile
WASHINGTON - The majority of teens actively manage their online
profiles to keep the information they believe is most sensitive away
from the unwanted gaze of strangers, parents and other adults. While
many teens post their first name and photos on their profiles, they
rarely post information on public profiles they believe would help
strangers actually locate them such as their full name, home phone
number or cell phone number.
At the same time, nearly two-thirds of teens with profiles (63%)
believe that a motivated person could eventually identify them from
the information they publicly provide on their profiles.
A new report, based on a survey and a series of focus groups conducted
by the Pew Internet & American Life Project examine how teens,
particularly those with profiles online, make decisions about
disclosing or shielding personal information.
Some 55% of online teens have profiles and most of them restrict
access to their profile in some way. Of those with profiles, 66% say
their profile is not visible to all internet users. Of those whose
profile can be accessed by anyone online, nearly half (46%) say they
give at least some false information. Teens post fake information to
protect themselves and also to be playful or silly.
Here is a rundown of the kinds of information they post on their
profiles, whether they are public or shielded:
...
http://www.pewinternet.org/PPF/r/139/press_release.asp
http://www.pewinternet.org/report_display.asp?r=211
http://www.pewinternet.org/pdfs/PIP_Teens_Privacy_SNS_Report_Final.pdf
Monty Solomon (monty@roscom.com)