New Disney.com Annual Study Addresses Need for Online Resources Focused on Internet Safety
New Disney.com Annual Study Addresses Need for Online Resources Focused on Internet Safety
New Research Indicates High Parental Involvement in Monitoring Children's Web Surfing, but Recognizes Strong Advantage of Information from a Trusted Source
By 2005, researchers predict that more than 44 million children, or 62% of all kids, will be surfing online(a). In fact, the number of online families has more than tripled in the past three years to 11.8 million in 2000(a).
With the number of children and families surfing the Web growing exponentially, Disney Online, part of GO.com, the Internet business of The Walt Disney Company, has inaugurated an annual initiative to stay abreast of the changing tides and trends in Internet safety.
Through this new annual research study, titled The Disney.com Surf Swell Barometer, Disney Online has surveyed more than 4,000 parents and their children between the ages of 5 and 14 to gauge their current Internet surfing habits and perspective on current Internet safety issues.
According to the study, parents are taking an active role in their children's Internet surfing habits, with 80% of parents of 5- to 14-year-olds reporting that they stay in close proximity while their child is surfing online. The study's results also indicate a strong need for a centralized online destination offering numerous tools and resources about Internet safety -- a desire that Disney Online is on the cusp of directly addressing through a new "smart surfing" Web site.
"We believe conducting an annual study speaks to our commitment to understand the needs of families with regard to safety on the Internet," says Ken Goldstein, executive vice president and managing director of Disney Online. "This research allows us to continue helping educate all our guests about Internet safety issues while strengthening our position as a principle resource for parents on the subject of smart surfing."
The Disney.com Surf Swell Barometer study revealed that the majority of parents monitor their children's e-mail (64%), set rules for Internet use (88%) and kept track of Web sites visited (64%). More than half the parents responded to being extremely or very concerned (54%) about the risks children face when going online, such as giving out personal information.
Further underscoring the company's commitment to smart surfing education, Disney Online also recently conducted a similar survey through its Disney.com Web site to gain insight about guests' current perspectives on Internet safety.
Disney parents overwhelmingly agreed that while their children must know how to "surf smart," they are also concerned about their own ability to teach smart surfing skills to their children. Disney parents stated that they would welcome a well-known and trusted third-party resource that outlines ground rules and tips for Internet safety in a fun and interactive manner.
These findings point directly to the need for a centralized online destination for tools and resources on Internet safety. To that end, Disney.com will launch an innovative new Web site to serve as the premier Internet "smart surfing" destination for children and families. This new Web site, scheduled to debut in early August, will provide Web surfers with an entertaining, interactive and informative way to learn valuable lessons on surfing the Web smartly.
Not surprisingly, The Disney.com Surf Swell Barometer revealed that 90% of the children surveyed stated that playing games was their favorite activity on the Web. Accordingly, interactive games featured on this upcoming Web site will help deliver important lessons on Internet safety topics, including privacy, viruses and Netiquette. Best of all, guests enjoy the company of Mickey, Minnie and other Disney favorites as they participate in activities that re-enact situations that might be faced online.
Disney Online has been the long-standing leader in online safety initiatives and "smart surfing" education since the launch of Disney.com in 1995. Disney Online has consistently demonstrated its unwavering commitment to this initiative through the introduction of extensive, original interactive content and participation in numerous public education outreach programs tied to online safety.
Editor's Note: A complete copy of the findings from The
Disney.com Annual Surf Swell Barometer study is available by contacting Lindsay Woods at
404/875-1444, ext. 250 or [email protected]
(a) Cyberdialogue
-- Posted July 17, 2000
Source: Company Press Release