When teens downloading habits are out of control, there is but one thing to do, blame the parents. At least that's what this latest Harris poll tells us, funded by the Business Software Alliance (BSA) who's motto is: "Promoting a safe and legal digital world". The study tells us that kids don't get too concerned about the impact of their downloading habits on entertainment entities and their livelyhoods. It seems youngsters and teens are too busy worrying about other trips 'n traps of the computer age. They are focused on defending themselves from many other hazards to worry about the content providers.
Technological problems while downloading digital media top the list. Teens are more concerned about downloading a virus (60 percent) than they do about whether they can get in trouble with the law (50 percent) or accidentally downloading spyware (43 percent). Only 29 percent care that downloading copyrighted items is illegal. Girls worry more about all risks, and boys (19 percent) are more likely to say that none of these things worry them. Sigh, I was bulletproof once myself. Here is what Diane Smiroldo has to say about the situation:
"Our hope is that parents and educators utilize the many resources available to teach youth to become good cyber citizens, so that these kids do the right thing as they get older." To provide guidance in teaching children about respect for digital works online and becoming good cyber citizens, BSA offers parents, teachers and students a variety of free materials and tools on cyber ethics, including its curriculum, "Play It Safe In Cyberspace." The curriculum is available for free download at www.PlayitCyberSafe.com and was co-produced by the children's publisher Weekly Reader. Since its initial distribution in 2002, the curriculum has reached more than 13 million kids, parents and teachers. |
It is important that todays parents try and impress on their children that products on the Internet are no different than in the real world. To use something without permission there, is no different than in the physical stores. In todays day and age however, with both adults working to support a family, plus even a lot of the kids are working too. One has to wonder if there would be many out there that have the time or inclination to research and utilise such a program to make the point. My parents would simply say: "If I catch you downloading again I will cancel your Internet account and ground you for a month- now go mow the yard."
You can visit over at Music Industry News for the full story. The Harris poll has asked some very pointed questions and the article is full of interesting statisics.
Source: Music Industry News
