Pew Internet report outlines teen SNS usage, cyberbullying activity

A Pew Internet study released today on teen usage of social networking sites (SNS) addresses online behavior and privacy and security concerns. Highlights among the study include:

• 25% of teens have had an experience on an SNS site that resulted in a face to face argument or confrontation with someone
• Nearly 70% witness cruelty to others online at least "every once in a while"
• Teens from lower-income households are much less likely to witness cruelty on SNS sites
• 44% of teens admit to lying about their age in order to access a website (COPPA requires a child to be 13 or older to register for a website without parental permission directly to the company.)
• 17% of teens admit that their SNS profiles are fully public
• 16% of teens have received sexually suggestive photos on an SNS site from someone they know
• 77% of parents monitor their child's online activity (up from 65% in 2006)

The entire study is 86 pages and is an excellent source of information. Thanks to Pew Research for another great contribution to this field.