There are some intriguing findings in new research on teen Internet use that Cox and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) released today. Generally, it seems parents are talking to their teens more and more about Internet Safety. And, generally, teens are listening and are curbing their risky online behavior – although some poor choices continue. John Walsh, Cox’s partner in the Take Charge program and well-known fighter for children’s safety, will talk about the findings in a webcast today that’s open to everyone – to register, just click here ). Afterward, the replay will be available here.

The full findings are here. Some highlights:
• Nearly seven of 10 teens regularly receive personal messages online from people they don’t know.
• Teens readily post personal info online – in fact, 64% post photos or videos of themselves. Far more females than males post personal photos or videos of themselves.

• Over the past year, parental awareness of their teens’ online activities has risen significantly. This year, 25% of teens say their parents know “little” or “nothing” about what they do online, down from 33% last year.
• 41% of teens report their parents talk to them “a lot” about Internet safety (up five points over 2006).
• A majority of teens (58%) don’t think posting photos or other personal info on social networking sites is unsafe.
• Half of them (49%) are unconcerned that posting personal info online might negatively affect their future (i.e., in job interviews or college admissions).
• When they receive online messages from someone they don’t know, 60% of teens say they usually respond only to ask who the person is. Compared to the 2006 survey, there was a 10-percentage-point increase in teens ignoring such messages (57% vs. 47%).
• Still, nearly a third of teens say they usually reply and chat with people they don’t know, and only 21% tell a trusted adult when they receive such messages.