Inappropriate Internet Sites: Citizens' Attitudes About Their Computer Skills and the Need for Training

• NCJ Number: 218544
• Journal: International Journal of Police Science & Management Volume: 9 Issue: 1 Dated: Spring 2007 Pages: 1-13
• Author(s): Sutham Cheurprakobkit; C. Wayne Johnston
• Date Published: 2007
• Length: 13 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United Kingdom

Annotation

In order to determine parents' need for computer-related training, this study examined the opinions of 425 people regarding their computer expertise in determining whether inappropriate Internet sites were being visited by their children.

Abstract

The study found that, compared to parents who had no child who used the Internet, parents with Internet-using children at home were more likely to discuss the dangers of the Internet with their children, monitor their children's Internet use, and had acquired computer skills necessary to identify Web sites and chat rooms their children had visited. Non-Whites were more likely than Whites to state they would attend an Internet training program if it were provided. The findings suggest that educational institutions and police agencies should cooperate in developing and implementing Internet training programs for parents, with attention to the communication and cultural features of minority parents with children at home. Data for this study came from a larger dataset produced by a survey in the summer of 2003. The survey was developed under a cooperative effort of the Midland Police Department (Texas) and the University of Texas of the Permian Basin. Surveys were sent to 2,000 homes randomly selected from the telephone book. Usable surveys were obtained from 425 individuals. Data on demographic variables included age, gender, race/ethnicity, educational level, marital status, annual income, number of children, number of children still living at home, and whether their children used the Internet. A set of survey questions focused on a parent's skill in monitoring the Internet sites visited by their children. Respondents were also asked about their perceived need for training in the potential dangers for children of certain types of Internet sites and how to monitor the Web sites visited by their children. 5 tables and 21 references