Underscoring the company's commitment to smart surfing education, Disney Online (www.disney.com) released today the results of its second annual research study on new and emerging technology, titled: "The Disney Online Surf Swell Barometer." Results from this research show that when it comes to their children going online, parents are setting rules and monitoring the type of content that their children view.

To gauge current Internet surfing habits and perspectives on current Internet safety issues, Disney Online surveyed nearly 800 parents with children between the ages of 4 and 14, as well as 400 children between the ages of 6 and 14.

This information has been used to enhance Surf Swell Island: Adventures in Internet Safety, a Web site that provides children and parents with essential lessons about online safety and privacy. Beginning today, the newly redesigned Surf Swell Island can be visited by both parents and children at www.surfswellisland.com or www.disney.com/surf.

"By studying the opinions of educational experts, we know that children learn best when a caring adult, whether a parent or teacher, helps them understand the basics of Internet safety," said Ken Goldstein, executive vice president and managing director of Disney Online. "Since parents are always looking for teaching aids about this topic, we have commissioned research to build engaging, effective tools for helping to guide families through the Internet adventure."

A Hands-On Role

The research illustrates that children ages 4-14 are becoming more Internet savvy through their parents' commitment to online education. When asked what action they took when faced with inappropriate solicitations over the Internet, 42 percent of children said they did not answer, 34 percent notified their parents, and 23 percent went offline.

Moreover, 91 percent would not reveal their name, 96 percent would not give out their address and 99 percent would not give out their phone number when asked over the Internet by an unknown source. These impressive numbers, which are higher than last year, recognize that adults have taken steps forward in creating a meaningful dialogue with youngsters about Internet safety.

Not only have these teachers and parents been present to reinforce particular points with children, but also they have enabled our youth to understand the merits of surfing online safely.

A Valued Resource

Further evidence suggests that the presence of well-informed adults has proven to substantially increase the impact of "edutainment" materials. Eighty percent of children report that a parent has told them what to do if someone they do not know asks personal questions about them online.

The study also showed that 71 percent of parents set rules for the type of content kids can interact with online, and this is in comparison to 48 percent of parents who set rules about the amount of time kids can spend online. Furthermore, 88 percent of parents said that their child does not go online at all from their child's bedroom, while more than half of the parents (55 percent) reported that their child goes online with parents or the entire family.

"Parents need to know what their children are doing online. It is especially important that they know what information their children are sharing online and with whom," said Parry Aftab, privacy lawyer and executive director of Cyberangels.org, the largest online safety and educational program in cyberspace. "Parents need help in educating their children about Internet safety.

"Surf Swell Island is that much-needed help. Disney is the only Internet safety Web site that teaches children everything they need to know in a fun and entertaining way. Parents will enjoy the experience as much as their children."

Responding to the research results, Disney Online has enhanced Surf Swell Island's features to include new and valuable "smart-surfing" lessons through entertaining and interactive activities, educational games, and hands-on experiences. It also offers a number of online safety tools to help parents manage their children's online experience.

The redesigned Surf Swell Island: Adventures in Internet Safety offers a world of Disney magic in which Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Goofy and Daisy, all outfitted in safari gear and equipped with backpacks, and PDAs, return to Surf Swell Island for an adventurous vacation.

Guests can don their safari outfits as they venture through the following destinations:

• Privacy Falls -- Guests will recognize the importance of keeping personal information private. They will also learn the risks involved in giving out personal information to anyone on the Internet.
• Virus Cave -- Guests will learn the destructiveness of computer viruses and how they can protect themselves from these viruses.
• Temple of Tact -- Guests will learn phrases and emoticons to interact and communicate with others on the Internet. They will also be reminded of the appropriate Internet manners.
• Challenge of Doom -- This portion ties together everything guests have learned from their adventures on Surf Swell Island.
• Treasure Palace -- When guests arrive here, it means they have successfully helped Mickey and his friends in all Surf Swell Island locales. Guests are given special access to a printable "Certificate of Swellness," as well as a unique version of Comic Creator, where they can change outfits and facial expressions of any of their favorite Surf Swell Island characters.
• Parents' Guide -- This guide will provide parents with information, tips and tools needed to guide children to a safe, enriching online experience.
• Teachers' Guide -- The teachers' guide adds an "edutainment" element to educators' standard teaching curricula and provides children and their teachers with a fun, interactive environment to learn about Internet safety.

Digital Research

Disney Online commissioned an independent research firm, Digital Research Inc., to conduct two studies on Internet and new technologies, which reveal the attitudes of parents and children toward Internet surfing. The firm surveyed 774 parents with children between the ages of 4 and 14, and 400 children between the ages of 6 and 14.