Parents do have some concerns, however. The top three concerns cited by parents are that their children will encounter pornography, undesirable adults, and violent or hate content. Parents and children report that the Internet does not disrupt children's everyday habits and normal, healthy activities. Eighty-five percent of parents whose children use the Internet report their children spend more or the same amount of time reading books. Thirty-seven percent of parents whose children are online say their children's television watching has decreased since they began using the Internet at home.
Girls use the Internet as much as boys.
Overall, there is no statistical difference between the proportion of girls and boys who use the Internet, the report says. Clearly, both parents and educators need to shed any remaining stereotypes about technophobic girls when it comes to the Internet. However, girls are much more likely to go online for education, schoolwork, and e-mail. Boys are more likely to go online to play games. The study shows that schools have an opportunity to help narrow the gap between the technology haves and have-nots.