A recent survey revealed a concerning increase in the frequency of children being contacted by strangers online, particularly those who publicly share their location.
Cox Mobile, the mobile service provider catering to Cox Communications customers, conducted a survey titled Generation Screen: Parenting and Mobile Safety to analyze responses from their clientele.
The survey uncovered a troubling connection between location sharing and unsolicited communication from strangers towards children and teenagers through their mobile devices, as highlighted by Cox.
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Among the parents surveyed, 56 percent acknowledged that their children have enabled location sharing, thereby making their whereabouts “publicly accessible across various mobile applications.”
Shockingly, 31 percent of children who openly share their mobile device’s location reported being contacted by an unfamiliar individual, with 28 percent of these instances involving the stranger making reference to the child’s location.
Despite these alarming statistics, 73 percent of parents believe their children are adept at concealing their online activities. Surprisingly, one in seven respondents confessed to creating a fictitious social media account to monitor their children’s online behavior, as per the survey findings.
President of Cox Communications, Mark Greatrex, emphasized the challenges of parenting tech-savvy kids in today’s digital age, noting that many youngsters acquire their first phone between the ages of ten and 14, significantly earlier than previous generations. While technology offers numerous benefits and connections, Greatrex cautioned that inherent dangers lurk just a tap or swipe away.
Furthermore, the survey highlighted that over half of parents perceive social media usage as heightening safety risks for their children, yet 60 percent permit their children to engage in such platforms. Parents’ primary concerns, according to Cox Mobile, revolve around their children encountering predatory behavior and inappropriate content.
Despite these concerns, the survey indicated a positive trend with 65 percent of parents discussing mobile device safety with their children multiple times a week. Additionally, 75 percent 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 actively engaging with them through these channels, as per the survey.
The findings from Cox Mobile’s Generation Screen: Parenting and Mobile Safety survey align with similar conclusions drawn from a research report by the global nonprofit Common Sense Media, which assists families in navigating media, technology, and digital parenting.
Addressing the risks, Cox highlighted that young girls are particularly vulnerable, citing data from Common Sense Media indicating that over half of girls aged 11 to 15 have encountered contact from strangers on social media platforms.
The risks associated with social media have garnered attention at the federal level, with several CEOs testifying before the United States Senate in January regarding the link between social media and child exploitation.
Furthermore, a bill introduced to Congress in April 2023 by Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI), known as the Protecting Kids on Social Media Act, aims to restrict children under the age of 13 from accessing certain platforms, among other verification requirements.
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.