A recent survey revealed a concerning increase in the frequency of children being contacted by strangers online, particularly those who have their location publicly shared.
Cox Mobile, the mobile service provider for Cox Communications customers, conducted a survey titled “Generation Screen: Parenting and Mobile Safety” and analyzed the responses of their customers.
The survey unveiled a troubling correlation between the act of sharing one’s location and strangers reaching out to children and teenagers via their mobile devices, as reported by Cox.
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Among the parents surveyed, 56 percent acknowledged that their children’s location sharing feature was activated, thereby making their whereabouts accessible across various mobile applications.
Shockingly, 31 percent of children who disclosed their mobile device’s location publicly reported being contacted by an unknown individual, with 28 percent of these instances involving the stranger making reference to the child’s location.
Despite these concerning statistics, 73 percent of parents expressed confidence in their children’s ability to conceal their online activities. Surprisingly, one in seven respondents admitted to creating a fictitious social media account to monitor their children’s online behavior, according to the survey.
The insights from Cox Mobile’s “Generation Screen: Parenting and Mobile Safety” survey, conducted by Cox Communications, shed light on the challenges of parenting in the digital age. Mark Greatrex, President of Cox Communications, emphasized the complexities of raising tech-savvy kids who often receive their first phone between the ages of ten and 14, much earlier than previous generations. While technology offers numerous benefits, it also poses inherent risks that are just a tap or swipe away, as stated in a press release.
Additionally, the survey highlighted that over half of parents perceive social media usage as heightening safety concerns for children, yet 60 percent permit their children to engage with these platforms. Parents’ primary fears, as identified by Cox Mobile, revolve around their children encountering predatory behavior and inappropriate content.
Despite these apprehensions, the survey noted positive practices among parents, with 65 percent engaging in discussions about mobile device safety with their children multiple times per week. Moreover, 75 percent actively monitor their children’s screen time, text messages, and phone calls on a daily or weekly basis.
The majority of parents (nearly three quarters) are connected with their children on social media platforms, with 64 percent engaging with them through these channels, as indicated by the survey.
Furthermore, the findings from Cox Communications align with a research report by Common Sense Media, a global nonprofit dedicated to assisting families in navigating digital parenting and media usage. Cox’s survey underscored that young girls are particularly vulnerable to online risks, with more than half of girls aged 11 to 15 reporting contact from strangers via social media applications.
The hazards associated with social media have garnered attention at the federal level, with several CEOs testifying before the United States Senate on the issue of social media’s link to child exploitation in January. Moreover, a bill introduced by Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) in April 2023, known as the Protecting Kids on Social Media Act, aims to restrict children under 13 from accessing certain platforms and implements additional verification measures.
For guidance on safeguarding children from inappropriate online activities, individuals can refer to the U.S. Department of Justice’s “Keeping Children Safe Online” webpage.